What are the two main types of infection precautions?

The correct answer identifies the two primary categories of infection precautions: standard precautions and transmission-based precautions.

Standard precautions are fundamental practices used in healthcare settings to prevent the spread of infections and are applied to the care of all patients. These precautions include basic hygiene measures like handwashing, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves and masks, and the safe handling of sharps to minimize exposure to blood and bodily fluids.

On the other hand, transmission-based precautions are additional measures that are employed when dealing with patients who are known or suspected to be infected with certain highly contagious pathogens. These precautions are tailored based on how the infection is spread—through airborne, droplet, or contact methods—and include specific guidelines for isolation, PPE usage, and environmental cleaning to mitigate the risk of transmission.

Together, these two types of precautions provide a comprehensive framework for infection control in healthcare settings, ensuring both the safety of healthcare workers and the protection of patients.