ASCP (American Society for Clinical Pathology) Phlebotomy Technician Certification Practice Exam

Contact precautions are necessary to prevent the spread of infections that can be transmitted through direct or indirect contact with the infected person or contaminated surfaces. Herpes simplex virus is particularly significant in this context because it can spread easily through skin contact or by touching infected lesions, especially in cases where there are active sores.

Effective implementation of contact precautions, such as wearing gloves and gowns, is crucial to minimize the risk of transmission both to healthcare workers and to other patients. While influenza, pneumonia, and meningitis are also serious conditions, they are primarily spread through droplet or airborne transmission methods, which require different types of precautions. Therefore, the appropriate infection control measure for herpes simplex is to emphasize contact precautions due to its mode of transmission.