Which of the following is an example of universal precautions?

• A. Wearing gloves
• B. Sharing towels
• C. Reusing disposable items
• D. Skipping handwashing

Answer: (A)

Universal precautions are standard safety practices used to prevent the spread of infections in caregiving settings, and wearing gloves is a common way to apply them. Gloves create a barrier between your skin and potentially infectious materials, helping protect both you and the child during activities that involve blood or bodily fluids, like diapering or first aid. They should be used properly—gloves should be disposable and fit well, changed between tasks or after contact with fluids, and removed carefully before washing hands. Hand hygiene remains essential, so wash your hands before putting gloves on and after removing them.

Sharing towels or reusing disposable items increases the chance of spreading germs, and skipping handwashing undermines infection-control efforts, so they are not examples of universal precautions.