Which statement correctly reflects infection control practice when infection is suspected?

Which statement correctly reflects infection control practice when infection is suspected?

• A. Continue as usual.
• B. Use only gloves.
• C. Use only mask.
• D. Isolate per policy and use PPE.

Answer: (D)

When infection is suspected, the priority is to prevent transmission by containing the patient and protecting staff. Isolating the patient according to the facility’s policy creates physical separation to reduce spread, while using the appropriate PPE provides a barrier against the likely routes of transmission—contact, droplet, or airborne—depending on the suspected infection. This combination protects both others and healthcare workers and aligns with established infection control guidelines. Continuing as usual ignores the risk of spreading infection. Gloves or a mask alone aren’t enough because many pathogens can spread through multiple routes or contaminate surfaces; you need the full set of precautions dictated by the situation, including the correct PPE and, when indicated, isolation.

When infection is suspected, the priority is to prevent transmission by containing the patient and protecting staff. Isolating the patient according to the facility’s policy creates physical separation to reduce spread, while using the appropriate PPE provides a barrier against the likely routes of transmission—contact, droplet, or airborne—depending on the suspected infection. This combination protects both others and healthcare workers and aligns with established infection control guidelines.

Continuing as usual ignores the risk of spreading infection. Gloves or a mask alone aren’t enough because many pathogens can spread through multiple routes or contaminate surfaces; you need the full set of precautions dictated by the situation, including the correct PPE and, when indicated, isolation.