Final answer:
Standard precautions should be taken for both the HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients, as they help prevent the transmission of infections like HIV in healthcare settings.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct approach to use during and subsequent to the cases of an HIV-positive patient undergoing an abdominal procedure and an HIV-negative patient undergoing an orthopedic procedure is to apply standard precautions for both patients.
Standard precautions are designed to prevent the transmission of infectious agents and are based on the principle that all blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions (except sweat), non-intact skin, and mucous membranes may contain transmissible infectious agents. Standard precautions include hand hygiene; use of gloves, gown, mask, eye protection, or face shield depending on the anticipated exposure; and safe injection practices. These precautions should be applied to the care of all patients, regardless of their HIV status, as they are essential to preventing health care-associated transmissions of infections such as HIV.