Infection Control · single question
What is the BEST method to prevent the spread of infectious disease in a dental clinic?
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Correct answer: A. Treat all body fluids as potentially infectious (standard precautions)
A) Treat ALL body fluids as potentially infectious — CORRECT.
Standard Precautions (formerly Universal Precautions) is the CDC and OSHA standard that requires treating ALL patients' blood, body fluids, secretions, and excretions as potentially infectious — regardless of diagnosis. This is the single most effective strategy for infection control because it doesn't rely on knowing the patient's status.
B) Rinsing impressions with water: Important (removes blood/saliva) but is one specific procedure — not the overarching principle.
C) Sterilization is essential but addresses only instrument reprocessing — not the broader infection control framework.
D) Double gloving: Not standard protocol and doesn't address the broader prevention strategy.
Standard Precautions (formerly Universal Precautions) is the CDC and OSHA standard that requires treating ALL patients' blood, body fluids, secretions, and excretions as potentially infectious — regardless of diagnosis. This is the single most effective strategy for infection control because it doesn't rely on knowing the patient's status.
B) Rinsing impressions with water: Important (removes blood/saliva) but is one specific procedure — not the overarching principle.
C) Sterilization is essential but addresses only instrument reprocessing — not the broader infection control framework.
D) Double gloving: Not standard protocol and doesn't address the broader prevention strategy.
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