Universal precautions in phlebotomy require which approach?

Universal precautions in phlebotomy require which approach?

• A. Treating every patient like they have blood-borne pathogens
• B. Wearing gloves only when the patient has visible lesions
• C. Using only one pair of gloves all day
• D. Storing blood samples at room temperature

Answer: (A)

Universal precautions mean treating every patient as potentially infectious for blood-borne pathogens such as HIV, HBV, and HCV. In phlebotomy this translates to using barrier protection with all procedures involving blood or bodily fluids, including wearing gloves, performing proper hand hygiene before and after contact, and handling sharps and contaminated surfaces safely. Since pathogens can be present even when there are no visible signs, the safest approach is to consistently apply protective measures with every patient. The other options miss essential safety steps: gloves should be used for all exposure risk, not only when lesions are visible; changing gloves between patients and using only one pair all day is not safe and increases cross-contamination; and storing samples at room temperature is a handling detail, not a precautionary protocol.

Universal precautions mean treating every patient as potentially infectious for blood-borne pathogens such as HIV, HBV, and HCV. In phlebotomy this translates to using barrier protection with all procedures involving blood or bodily fluids, including wearing gloves, performing proper hand hygiene before and after contact, and handling sharps and contaminated surfaces safely. Since pathogens can be present even when there are no visible signs, the safest approach is to consistently apply protective measures with every patient. The other options miss essential safety steps: gloves should be used for all exposure risk, not only when lesions are visible; changing gloves between patients and using only one pair all day is not safe and increases cross-contamination; and storing samples at room temperature is a handling detail, not a precautionary protocol.