Oregon Written Tattoo Practice Test

Which of the following describes Universal Precautions?

1. Assuming all blood is infected

2. Using gloves only during surgical procedures

3. Washing hands after every client

4. Using PPE exclusively for clients with known infections

The correct answer is: Assuming all blood is infected

Universal Precautions are a set of guidelines aimed at preventing the transmission of bloodborne pathogens and other infectious agents in healthcare settings. The principle behind Universal Precautions is to treat all blood and certain bodily fluids as if they are potentially infectious, regardless of the known status of the individual. This approach helps protect both healthcare providers and patients from the risk of infection, ensuring that proper safety measures are taken consistently. By assuming that all blood is infected, practitioners minimize the risk of exposure to diseases like HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. This fundamental understanding is crucial in environments such as tattooing, where blood exposure is a possibility. It emphasizes the need for standard safety measures, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and proper sanitation practices, in all situations rather than only when infections are known or suspected. The other options do not fully embody the principles of Universal Precautions. For instance, using gloves only during surgical procedures or restricting PPE to clients with known infections contradicts the underlying philosophy of treating all cases with caution. Similarly, while washing hands after every client is a good practice, it does not encompass the broader concept of Universal Precautions, which stresses the importance of treating all blood as potentially infectious. Thus, understanding and applying the concept