What does the second tier of precautions, known as expanded precautions, include?

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Study for the UCF HSC3432 Occupational Safety Exam. Use interactive multiple-choice questions with detailed explanations to prepare. Ensure you understand key concepts in health care safety standards and best practices.

The second tier of precautions, referred to as expanded precautions, includes contact and airborne infection precautions. This tier is essential in healthcare settings to prevent the spread of infections that can be transmitted through direct or indirect contact and via the air.

Contact precautions are implemented when dealing with pathogens that can be transmitted through physical contact with the patient or contaminated surfaces. This requires the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves and gowns, especially when there is a likelihood of coming into contact with bodily fluids or contaminated materials.

Airborne infection precautions are necessary for diseases that are spread through respiratory droplets that can remain suspended in the air and travel over distances. This includes the use of N95 respirators or powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) to protect healthcare workers from inhaling infectious agents.

Together, these precautions form a critical approach to infection control, especially when managing patients known or suspected to carry highly contagious diseases. Implementing these expanded precautions helps protect both healthcare workers and other patients from potential infections, thereby maintaining a safer healthcare environment.