Body substance isolation requires which two elements?

• A. Use PPE and standard precautions
• B. Only wash hands before procedures
• C. Wear gloves at all times but no other equipment
• D. Isolate patients with contagious diseases in a separate room

Answer: (B)

Body substance isolation relies on protecting you from exposure to body fluids through two elements: using appropriate personal protective equipment and applying standard precautions for every client. PPE includes gloves and, as needed for the procedure, masks, eye protection, or gowns. Standard precautions cover hand hygiene, safe handling and disposal of contaminated items, and proper disinfection of surfaces and equipment. Washing hands alone isn’t sufficient because splashes, aerosols, or contaminated surfaces can still pose a risk, and gloves alone don’t protect the eyes, nose, or mouth. Isolating a contagious patient is not the defining part of BSI; it’s an infection-control measure separate from the basic PPE plus standard precautions approach used with all clients. In esthetics, consistently using gloves and other needed PPE along with proper hand hygiene and surface disinfection fulfills BSI.