North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) State Practice Exam

Who established universal precautions and provided the framework for an effective infection control policy?

1. World Health Organization

2. National Institute of Health

3. Center for Disease Control

4. Federal Drug Administration

The correct answer is: Center for Disease Control

The correct answer is based on the role of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in establishing universal precautions. Universal precautions are a set of guidelines designed to prevent the transmission of bloodborne pathogens in medical settings. The CDC developed these precautions in response to the growing awareness of the risks posed by infectious diseases in healthcare environments, particularly during the 1980s and 1990s. By promoting practices such as the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), proper disposal of sharps, and hand hygiene, the CDC provided a comprehensive framework for infection control that continues to shape policies in healthcare today. These measures not only protect healthcare workers but also patients by minimizing the risk of cross-contamination and the spread of infections. The other organizations listed, while influential in various aspects of public health and safety, were not primarily responsible for the establishment of universal precautions. The World Health Organization focuses on global health issues, the National Institute of Health conducts medical research, and the Federal Drug Administration regulates food and drug products, none of which are directly tied to developing the specific framework for infection control that universal precautions represent. Thus, the Center for Disease Control is rightly recognized as the key authority behind these essential safety guidelines.