Which of the following best describes universal precautions in healthcare?

Universal precautions in healthcare are essential practices designed to prevent the transmission of infections, particularly those spread through blood and other potentially infectious materials. The rationale for treating all human blood and certain human body fluids as if they are potentially infectious stems from the need to protect healthcare professionals and patients from the wide range of pathogens that may be present, including HIV and HBV, as well as other bloodborne viruses.

By treating all human blood and specific body fluids as if they are infectious, healthcare providers can take necessary precautions—such as wearing gloves, masks, and eyewear—when handling any bodily fluids. This approach helps minimize the risk of accidental exposure during procedures, thereby enhancing safety in clinical environments.

The other options do not fully align with the principles of universal precautions. For example, stating that all human blood is treated as infectious is partially accurate but does not address the inclusion of other human body fluids that may also pose risk. Moreover, declaring that all fluids are considered non-infectious undermines the foundational goal of universal precautions. Similarly, limiting the perspective to only visible blood fails to capture the comprehensive nature of the protocol, which overlooks the fact that infections can be present without visible signs. Thus, the most accurate description of universal precautions encompasses both the treatment of