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Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:

Standard Precautions are the foundation of infection prevention and should be applied during care of all patients. They are based on the principle that blood, body fluids, non-intact skin, and mucous membranes may contain transmissible microorganisms.

Standard Precautions include hand hygiene, appropriate use of personal protective equipment, respiratory hygiene, safe injection practices, and proper handling of equipment and environmental surfaces.

Limiting Standard Precautions to only patients with confirmed infections creates gaps in protection because many infections may not be recognized at the time of care.

Infection preventionists educate healthcare workers that every patient encounter carries potential exposure risks. Consistent application of Standard Precautions reduces transmission opportunities and protects both patients and healthcare personnel.

Standard Precautions serve as the foundation upon which Transmission-Based Precautions are added when specific infectious risks are identified.