In which situation should a CNA use standard precautions?

Using standard precautions is vital for the safety of both the healthcare worker and the patients. The principle behind standard precautions is to treat all patients as though they may be carrying infectious agents, regardless of whether they show symptoms or have a known infection. This approach minimizes the risk of transmission of infectious diseases and protects everyone in the healthcare setting.

By employing standard precautions with every patient, a CNA helps ensure that they are consistently applying infection control measures, such as hand hygiene, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and safe handling of sharps and contaminated materials. This practice is especially crucial since pathogens can be present in asymptomatic individuals or patients whose infections have yet to be diagnosed. In contrast, limiting these precautions to only infected patients or those with visible health issues could lead to increased risk of infection spread within healthcare facilities.