Final answer:
Handling blood and urine as if they are infectious is known as practicing universal precautions, which is essential for preventing the transmission of pathogens, especially in a healthcare setting.
Step-by-step explanation:
Handling blood and urine as if they are infectious is known as practicing universal precautions. This approach is vital for health-care workers to prevent infection by pathogens such as HBV (Hepatitis B virus) and other illnesses. While blood poses the greatest risk, all body fluids, including urine, can transmit infection. Therefore, it is crucial to use personal protective equipment, such as gloves and face protection, and follow strict protocols for disinfection and sterilization. Pathogens can be spread through indirect contact transmission by touching contaminated surfaces called fomites, making thorough cleaning and disinfecting of all potentially contaminated equipment essential.