Texas Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

With whom should a nursing assistant use Standard Precautions?

1. Only with highly contagious residents

2. With every resident in their care

3. Only in emergency situations

4. Only with residents showing symptoms of illness

The correct answer is: With every resident in their care

Standard Precautions are a set of infection control practices used to prevent the transmission of diseases. They emphasize that all patients, regardless of their health status or diagnosis, should be treated as potentially infectious. This approach helps ensure the safety of both the healthcare providers and other patients within the healthcare setting. Using Standard Precautions with every resident in care minimizes the risk of spreading infections. This includes practices such as hand hygiene, the use of personal protective equipment (like gloves and masks), and safe handling of needles and other sharp instruments. By applying these precautions universally, nursing assistants contribute to a safer environment for both patients and themselves. The other options suggest selective use of these precautions, which could lead to increased risks of infection transmission—either by overlooking necessary precautions with seemingly healthy individuals or applying them only during emergencies or to symptomatic residents. This selective practice undermines the primary goal of Standard Precautions, which is to treat all residents as potentially at risk for spreading infections.