Infection Control · single question
A patient is a carrier of Hepatitis B and has a history of drug and alcohol use. How should you treat this patient regarding infection control?
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Correct answer: C. Standard Precautions (Universal Precautions)
All patients are treated with Standard Precautions (formerly Universal Precautions) regardless of known infectious status. Standard Precautions assume that all blood and body fluids are potentially infectious. This means: gloves, mask, eye protection, gown as appropriate, proper sharps disposal, and hand hygiene. You cannot legally refuse to treat a patient solely based on infectious status (per ADA and ADA guidelines, HBV carriers must be treated).
- A. CORRECT. Standard Precautions are applied to ALL patients, regardless of known infection status. HBV carriers are treated with the same precautions as any other patient.
- B. Incorrect. Refusing to treat a patient based solely on Hepatitis B status is discriminatory and violates professional and legal standards.
- C. Incorrect. Transmission-Based Precautions are added FOR airborne, droplet, or contact-transmitted diseases in healthcare settings — for routine dental care, Standard Precautions are sufficient.
- D. Incorrect. Standard Precautions are required regardless of symptom status — the infectious risk exists even in asymptomatic carriers.
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