CAVIT Direct Care Worker Fundamentals Practice Exam

Which bodily contact significantly increases the risk of infection?

1. Shaking hands

2. Touching body fluids

3. Using shared equipment

4. Talking closely with someone

The correct answer is: Touching body fluids

Touching body fluids significantly increases the risk of infection because body fluids, such as blood, saliva, urine, and other secretions, can harbor a variety of pathogens including bacteria, viruses, and fungi that can transmit infections. When these fluids come into contact with the skin, mucus membranes, or open wounds, they can facilitate the entry of infectious agents into the body, leading to transmission of diseases. In contrast, while shaking hands and using shared equipment can also pose risks, especially if one person has cuts or the equipment is contaminated, they do not inherently carry the same level of risk as directly interacting with body fluids. Talking closely with someone can lead to the spread of respiratory illnesses through droplets, but this method of transmission is typically less direct compared to the transmission potential through body fluids. Therefore, touching body fluids stands out as the highest risk factor for the transmission of infectious diseases.