Name a standard precaution taken to prevent infection.

Hand hygiene is a foundational standard precaution in infection prevention. It involves thoroughly washing hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to eliminate pathogens. This practice is crucial because hands can easily transfer microorganisms from one surface to another, or from healthcare providers to patients.

Maintaining proper hand hygiene significantly reduces the risk of healthcare-associated infections by interrupting the transmission of harmful germs. This precaution is universally recommended in healthcare settings, regardless of the specific situation or patient contact, making it a vital and standard practice.

While other options also relate to infection prevention, they do not hold the same universal critical importance as hand hygiene. For instance, wearing gloves when necessary does help reduce exposure but does not replace the need for hand hygiene. Limiting patient interactions can minimize transmission risks, yet it is not always feasible and does not address the routine care provider must engage in. The use of antibiotics as a preventive measure, while effective in certain cases, should be approached cautiously due to issues like antibiotic resistance and is not considered a standard precaution in all scenarios.