Standard precautions should be taken when providing care to which type of individuals?

Standard precautions are fundamental practices to minimize the risk of transmission of infections in healthcare settings. They are designed to protect both healthcare workers and patients and should be applied universally to all individuals, regardless of their health status. This approach ensures that potential exposure to infections is mitigated effectively, even if a patient's infection status is unknown.

By employing standard precautions with every individual, healthcare providers safeguard against both recognized and unrecognized sources of infection, including asymptomatic carriers who may still be capable of transmitting pathogens. This comprehensive approach helps to create a safer environment in healthcare settings and contributes significantly to controlling the spread of infectious diseases.

In contrast, restricting these precautions to only symptomatic individuals, those who refuse treatment, or individuals with known infections underestimates the potential risks and undermines the effectiveness of infection control measures. Therefore, universal application of standard precautions is paramount in promoting safety in healthcare practices.