Infection control: practice question

A Microbiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Microbiology · Infection control

Sample item

What is the purpose of standard precautions?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Reduce exposure to blood and body fluids for all patients

Standard precautions assume blood and certain body fluids may transmit infection regardless of known diagnosis and include hand hygiene and PPE.

Option by option

  • A. Apply only to known HIV infection

    They apply to all patients.

  • B. Replace transmission-based precautions

    Additional precautions may still be needed.

  • C. Reduce exposure to blood and body fluids for all patients (correct)

    Correct: universal baseline precautions reduce unknown-risk transmission.

  • D. Avoid hand hygiene when gloves are worn

    Gloves do not replace hand hygiene.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Microbiology questions

Questions about this Microbiology question

What is the answer to this Microbiology question?

The best answer is C, Reduce exposure to blood and body fluids for all patients. Standard precautions assume blood and certain body fluids may transmit infection regardless of known diagnosis and include hand hygiene and PPE.

Why is "Apply only to known HIV infection" not the answer?

They apply to all patients.

Why is "Replace transmission-based precautions" not the answer?

Additional precautions may still be needed.

Why is "Avoid hand hygiene when gloves are worn" not the answer?

Gloves do not replace hand hygiene.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infection control in Microbiology. The correct option holds because: Correct: universal baseline precautions reduce unknown-risk transmission.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Infection control?

Make a one-line identity card for each organism: shape and stain, defining test, toxin, disease and drug. Then use the flashcards and the other Microbiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.