Final answer:
Precautions must be taken to avoid personal exposure to microorganisms through direct contact, inhalation, and ingestion when handling contaminated patient care items. The correct answer is all of the above.
Step-by-step explanation:
When transporting and processing contaminated patient care items, precautions need to be taken to avoid personal exposure to microorganisms through direct contact, inhalation, and ingestion. Therefore, the correct answer is all of the above. Microorganisms can spread from person to person through direct contact, or by touching surfaces that have been in contact with an infected individual. Airborne pathogens can be inhaled, leading to potential respiratory infections, and ingestion of contaminated food or objects can lead to pathogens entering the gastrointestinal tract.
Health care professionals are advised to wear protective gear, including coats, face protection, and cut-resistant gloves. Contaminated waste and instruments require proper disposal or thorough sterilization, such as incineration or soaking in a strong basic solution to avoid transmission.