Which of the following describes standard precautions?

The concept of standard precautions is fundamentally about infection control and safety measures taken to prevent the spread of infections in healthcare settings. Selecting the option that states "Treating all blood and bodily fluids as potentially infectious" accurately encapsulates the essence of standard precautions.

This approach is designed to protect both healthcare workers and patients by ensuring that any contact with blood, body fluids, secretions, or excretions is managed as if they are infectious, regardless of the patient's known health status. This broad application is crucial because it minimizes the risk of transmission of infections that may not yet be diagnosed or known.

In contrast, the other options are limited in scope: some suggest restrictions based on setting, type of healthcare worker, or specific procedures. However, the effectiveness of standard precautions relies on their consistent application across all situations in healthcare, not just in selected environments or scenarios. Thus, the choice that highlights treating all blood and bodily fluids as potentially infectious most accurately reflects the intent and application of standard precautions in promoting safety and infection control.