Identify core infection control principles relevant to physical therapy settings.

Identify core infection control principles relevant to physical therapy settings.

• A. Hand hygiene, PPE as indicated, cleaning and disinfection, and standard precautions apply to all patients.
• B. Hand hygiene is optional.
• C. PPE is required for all patients regardless of risk.
• D. Cleaning and disinfection are unnecessary between patients.

Answer: (A)

Infection control in physical therapy hinges on applying standard precautions to every patient. Hand hygiene before and after patient contact (and after removing gloves) is the first line of defense against transmission. PPE should be used based on the level of risk—gloves, gowns, masks, eye protection when there is potential exposure to blood, body fluids, non‑intact skin, or mucous membranes—rather than automatically for every patient. Cleaning and disinfection of equipment and surfaces between patients prevent cross‑contamination in shared spaces and on therapy devices. Together, these practices create a universal safety net for both patients and clinicians, aligning with standard precautions that apply to all encounters. The other options either downplay essential steps (hand hygiene being optional), overgeneralize PPE use (PPE required for all patients regardless of risk), or ignore the need to clean between patients, which would increase infection risk.

Infection control in physical therapy hinges on applying standard precautions to every patient. Hand hygiene before and after patient contact (and after removing gloves) is the first line of defense against transmission. PPE should be used based on the level of risk—gloves, gowns, masks, eye protection when there is potential exposure to blood, body fluids, non‑intact skin, or mucous membranes—rather than automatically for every patient. Cleaning and disinfection of equipment and surfaces between patients prevent cross‑contamination in shared spaces and on therapy devices. Together, these practices create a universal safety net for both patients and clinicians, aligning with standard precautions that apply to all encounters. The other options either downplay essential steps (hand hygiene being optional), overgeneralize PPE use (PPE required for all patients regardless of risk), or ignore the need to clean between patients, which would increase infection risk.