Patient Care Technician (PCT) AAH Practice Exam

What is the best practice for infection control when dealing with a patient who has AIDS?

1. Wear a mask

2. Disinfect surfaces

3. Wash hands and wear gloves

4. Use hand sanitizer

The correct answer is: Wash hands and wear gloves

The best practice for infection control when dealing with a patient who has AIDS is to wash hands and wear gloves. This approach is fundamental in maintaining a sterile environment and protecting both the patient and healthcare worker from potential infections. Handwashing is essential because it effectively removes pathogens that can cause infection. This practice should always be performed before and after patient contact, especially in cases involving individuals with compromised immune systems, like those with AIDS. This patient population is at a higher risk for opportunistic infections, making stringent hygiene practices critical. Wearing gloves adds an additional layer of protection. Gloves prevent direct contact with bodily fluids, which is important since HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, can be present in blood and other body fluids. Wearing gloves ensures that healthcare workers do not inadvertently expose themselves or spread infectious agents to other patients or surfaces. While wearing a mask, disinfecting surfaces, and using hand sanitizer can contribute to overall infection control measures, they are not as directly relevant as proper hand hygiene and glove use in the context of caring for a patient with AIDS. Masks may be more relevant for respiratory protection rather than bloodborne pathogens, and disinfecting surfaces is a routine practice but does not address direct contact during patient care. Hand sanitizer, while useful, is less effective