When should gloves be changed and hands be washed according to Standard Precautions?

In the context of Standard Precautions, gloves should be changed and hands washed after handling infectious waste containers because doing so helps to prevent cross-contamination and the spread of pathogens. Handling waste can expose healthcare personnel to potentially infectious materials, so proper hand hygiene and glove changes are crucial to maintaining a safe environment for both the staff and the patients.

Although changing gloves after touching a contaminated surface or waste is a strict protocol, the rationale behind this practice is rooted in infection control principles. These practices minimize the risk of transferring infectious agents from one surface or area to another, ensuring that healthcare environments remain clean and safe.

The other scenarios, while important considerations for hand hygiene, are not chosen as the correct answer based on the specified criteria in the question. Changes in gloves and handwashing are particularly highlighted in the context of managing potentially infectious materials and reducing the risk of exposure, which is directly addressed in this scenario.