What universal precaution is essential when starting an IV on a patient with HIV and Hepatitis C?

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Wearing gloves provides a barrier that protects you from contact with the patient’s blood during IV insertion, which is the essential universal precaution for preventing transmission of bloodborne pathogens like HIV and Hepatitis C. The main goal is to minimize percutaneous exposure and skin contact with potentially infectious materials, and gloves are the standard, immediate defense during procedures like venipuncture.

Other options don’t address the primary exposure risk here. Prophylactic antibiotics aren’t indicated to prevent transmission of HIV or Hepatitis C. A face shield protects your eyes and face from splashes, but the most likely exposure during starting an IV is through the hands, so gloves are the priority. Double-gloving isn’t required for routine venipuncture, and while it may be used in certain high-risk or surgical settings, it isn’t the essential precaution for this scenario.