Standard precautions (sometimes called universal precautions) are precautions that health care workers _-_—Precautions. take with every person to protect themselves and others = Airborne precautions are used when caring for a from pathogens that are transmitted in body fluids. You person who is known or thought to have an iiness. must practice standard precautions whenever you come that is transmitted through the air. For example, into contact with body fluids, such as when assisting tuberculosis (Box 6-8) and measles are spread with a medical procedure or when providing personal in this manner. Airborne pathogens (pathogens ‘care—even if you think the person in your care is not expelled into the air when an infected person infected. Box 6-7 lists standard precautions. Memorize breathes, coughs or sneezes) can travel a long these precautions and make them a way of life as you distance on air currents and through ventilation work as a nurse assistant. systems. Therefore, airbome precautions include placing the person in a private room and keeping the Transmission-based precautions door closed, wearing a HEPA mask when providing ‘When a person's primary care provider suspects or care, and having the person wear a mask when he or cconfirms that the person has an infection that can she must leave the room. be spread to others, you must take additional precautions. = Droplet precautions are used when caring for a to prevent the spread of the infection to other people. person who is known or thought to have an illness These precautions are referred to as transmission-based, that is transmitted by large droplets in the air, such V Box 6-7 Standard Precautions 1, Wear disposable gloves whenever the possibilty exists Never recap a sharp object before disposing of it, because that you could come into contact with blood or body fluids. you could cut yourself while trying to replace the cap. ‘This includes when you are providing care and situations 5, Clean up blood or body fluid spills promptly, using where you must hand items soiled with blood or other {an approved disinfectant or a freshly med solution made body uid. Also wear gloves whenever you have broken by adding 1% cups of bleach to 1 gallon of water. Be sure skin on your hands. to wear appropriate PPE when clearing up the spil 2, Wash your hands and skin surfaces thoroughly and 6, Handle contaminated articles carefully. Pu articles immediately if your skin becomes soiled with blood or that have been contaminated with blood or body fui ito other body fluids, of you have handled potontaly soled «2 puncture-proot, labeled biohazard bag. Place a second items. Also wash your hands after removing gloves, and bag over the fst the outside ofthe frst bag may have before putting on gloves. If your hands are not visibly become contaminated. Skil 6-3 describes step by step soiled with blood or other body fuids, you may use an how to handle aplastic ash bag and how to double-bag alcohol-based hand rub to decontaminate your hands after contaminated wast. removing gloves and before putting on a clean pai 7. Practice respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette. 3, Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) as Take measures to contain respiratory secretions that ean indicated by the situation. A gown must be worn whenever _spread infections such as influenza. Encourage people who the possibilty exists that your uniform could be soiled by center the facility with visible signs ofa respiratory ines the splashing of blood or other bod) fuids. Protective to cough or sneeze into a tissue to contain respiratory ‘eyewear, a mask, or both must be worn whenever the secretions, dispose of tissues properly and clean ther hands possibiity exists that blood or other body fuids could with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub ater splash into your eyes, nose or mouth ‘sneezing, coughing or handing ry tissues. People with 4, Handle sharp objects carefully. Protect yourself and signs of respiratory illness may also be provided with masks ‘others from injury caused by sharp object that may be x physicaly separated om other people (or example, soiled by bload or other body fluids (such as razors and in common waiting areas) to further limit the spread of needles) by disposing of them in a sharps container. infections cared by respiratory secretions 66 | AmericanRedCross | Nurse Assistant Training