Standard Precautions (Nursing)
Standard precautions are a set of infection control practices used with ALL patients regardless of diagnosis or infection status. They include hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), safe injection practices, respiratory hygiene, and proper handling of contaminated equipment and surfaces.
Exam Tip
Hand hygiene = #1 infection control measure. Standard precautions apply to ALL patients, ALL settings. Apply to ALL body fluids EXCEPT sweat. Know the 3 transmission-based precautions: Contact (gown+gloves), Droplet (surgical mask), Airborne (N95 + negative pressure). Do NOT recap needles.
What Are Standard Precautions in Nursing?
Standard precautions build on universal precautions and body substance isolation. They are the minimum infection prevention practices that apply to all patient care, regardless of suspected or confirmed infection status. They are based on the principle that all blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions (except sweat), non-intact skin, and mucous membranes may contain transmissible infectious agents.
Core Components of Standard Precautions
| Component | Practice |
|---|---|
| Hand hygiene | Use alcohol-based hand rub in most clinical situations. Wash with soap and water when hands are visibly soiled and when required by the applicable infection-control guidance. |
| Gloves | Wear when touching blood, body fluids, mucous membranes, or non-intact skin |
| Gown | Wear when clothing may contact blood or body fluids |
| Mask/Eye protection | Wear when splashes or sprays of blood or body fluids are possible |
| Respiratory hygiene/Cough etiquette | Cover coughs/sneezes; provide masks to symptomatic patients |
| Safe injection practices | Use a new needle and syringe for each injection; use single-dose vials when possible |
| Sharps safety | Do not recap needles; dispose in puncture-resistant sharps containers |
| Environmental cleaning | Clean and disinfect surfaces and equipment between patients |
When to Use Standard Precautions
| Situation | Standard Precautions Apply? |
|---|---|
| All patients, all settings | YES - regardless of diagnosis |
| Known or suspected infection requiring additional precautions | YES + Transmission-Based Precautions |
| Patient with no known infection | YES - always assume potential for transmission |
| Handling any body fluid | YES - except sweat |
Transmission-Based Precautions (Added to Standard)
| Type | Transmission Route | Examples | Additional PPE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact | Direct/indirect touch | MRSA, C. diff, scabies | Gown + Gloves |
| Droplet | Exposure to respiratory droplets | Influenza, pertussis, meningococcal disease | Medical mask on room entry |
| Airborne | Infectious particles suspended in air | Infectious pulmonary TB, measles, varicella (also Contact) | Airborne infection isolation room and respiratory protection per pathogen-specific guidance |
Hand Hygiene Moments (WHO 5 Moments)
- Before touching a patient
- Before a clean/aseptic procedure
- After body fluid exposure risk
- After touching a patient
- After touching patient surroundings
Exam Alert
Standard precautions are tested in the Safety and Infection Prevention and Control category in the 2026 NCLEX-PN plan (10-16%). Hand hygiene is a core measure for preventing transmission. Know the difference between standard precautions (ALL patients) and transmission-based precautions (added for specific pathogens). Standard precautions apply to ALL body fluids EXCEPT sweat.
Use the current care plan and the applicable state rules. Official guidance.
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