Kentucky Medication Aide (KMA) State Practice Exam

What infection control protocol is recommended by the CDC?

1. Standard Precaution

2. Universal Precaution

3. Contact Isolation

4. Droplet Isolation

The correct answer is: Standard Precaution

Standard Precaution is the infection control protocol recommended by the CDC as it encompasses a broad range of practices aimed at preventing the spread of infections in healthcare settings. Standard Precautions are applied to all patients, regardless of their known infection status, and include the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, masks, and gowns, along with practices such as hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, and safe disposal of sharps and contaminated materials. This approach is designed to protect both healthcare workers and patients by minimizing the risk of transmission of infectious agents that may be present in blood, body fluids, and mucous membranes. By implementing Standard Precautions universally, healthcare facilities can more effectively reduce healthcare-associated infections, ensuring a safer environment for both patients and staff. While Universal Precaution, mentioned in another choice, was a previous guideline focused primarily on blood and body fluids, it has since evolved into the broader Standard Precautions, which is now the standard and comprehensive approach recommended by the CDC. The other options, such as Contact Isolation and Droplet Isolation, are more specific measures implemented for certain types of infections but do not cover the universal applicability of infection control in all situations like Standard Precautions do.