Which of the following is NOT true about universal precautions in health care system?

AIIMS BBSR SNO - 2019

Applied Microbiology & Infection control

Medium

Appeared in: AIIMS BBSR SNO - 2019

Explanation

The core principle of universal (or standard) precautions is to treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious, regardless of the source patient's known status.
Assuming that fluids are safe is a dangerous misconception and directly contradicts the entire basis of these safety measures.
This incorrect assumption would eliminate the rationale for using personal protective equipment (PPE) and other safety protocols, placing both healthcare workers and patients at high risk.

Option A: This statement is a true and central goal of universal precautions. The entire purpose of using barriers like gloves and gowns is to reduce direct contact with potentially infectious materials.
Option B: This is a true statement regarding ethical and legal obligations in healthcare. However, it is not a procedural component of universal precautions, which are applied to every patient regardless of their known status. The question asks what is NOT true, and this statement is a valid principle in healthcare.
Option C: This statement correctly identifies the primary purpose of universal precautions. By preventing the transmission of pathogens, these measures effectively reduce the rate of cross-infection within a healthcare facility.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Principles of Universal/Standard Precautions in Infection Control helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Adherence to standard precautions is a non-negotiable aspect of safe nursing practice, protecting both the nurse and their patients from healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
Failure to follow these precautions can lead to occupational exposures (e.g., needlestick injuries) and outbreaks within a facility.
What if a patient states they have no history of infectious diseases? The nursing action does not change. Standard precautions must still be rigorously applied because of the risk of undiagnosed or asymptomatic infections.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the negative framing of the question ('NOT true'). This means you are looking for the false statement among the options.
Recall the fundamental principle of 'universal precautions' (now called 'standard precautions'). The core idea is to prevent disease transmission.
Evaluate each option against this core principle.
Option A, 'Reducing contact,' is a method used in universal precautions. This is likely true.
Option C, 'Reducing cross-infection,' is the goal of universal precautions. This is likely true.
Option B, 'Maintaining confidentiality,' is an important ethical rule but is separate from the procedure of precautions. It's a true statement about healthcare, but is it the answer?

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Principles of Universal/Standard Precautions in Infection Control
Stem keywords: universal precautions, health care system, NOT true
Lead-in keywords: NOT
Negative lead-in flag: The question asks for the statement that is NOT true about universal precautions.

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