Which of the following is the general concept behind standard precautions?

Choice A reason:
An alcohol-based hand rub is generally used for hand hygiene when the hands are not visibly soiled. It is effective against many types of microbes but is not the best option for hands that are visibly dirty or contaminated with proteinaceous materials, such as blood or body fluids. The CDC recommends washing hands with soap and water in these situations.

Choice B reason:
Sterile water rinse alone is not sufficient for cleaning hands that are visibly soiled. While sterile water can be used to rinse off debris, it does not have the cleaning or antimicrobial properties necessary to properly decontaminate the hands.

Choice C reason:
Soap and water are the recommended decontamination agents when hands are visibly soiled with blood or body fluids. The physical action of handwashing, combined with the detergent properties of soap, effectively removes soil and transient microorganisms. The CDC guidelines specifically state that hands should be washed with soap and water when they are visibly dirty or contaminated with proteinaceous materia.

Choice D reason:
An alcohol rinse, similar to an alcohol-based hand rub, is not adequate for cleaning visibly soiled hands. Alcohol is a disinfectant that is effective against many germs when used on clean hands but does not remove visible dirt or organic material well.

Choice A reason:
The flavor of the glucose solution is not a relevant factor to document during a glucose tolerance test. The flavor does not affect the test outcome and is not a required piece of information for the test's validity or interpretation.

Choice B reason:
Documenting the time the glucose load was completed is crucial. The glucose tolerance test is time-sensitive, and blood samples are taken at specific intervals after the glucose solution is ingested. Accurate timing ensures that the results are valid and that any changes in blood glucose levels are correctly attributed to the patient's metabolic response to the glucose load.

Choice C reason:
While the amount of water ingested during the procedure may be noted for patient comfort, it is not typically a required piece of documentation. The focus of the glucose tolerance test is on the patient's response to the glucose solution, not on the volume of water consumed.

Choice D reason:
The volume of blood obtained during the procedure is generally standardized based on the test requirements and does not need to be documented each time. The phlebotomist must ensure that enough blood is collected for the analysis, but the exact volume is determined by the collection tubes used, which are designed to draw a specific volume.