Which of the following is an example of a standard precaution?

Wearing gloves when handling bodily fluids is an example of a standard precaution because it is a fundamental practice aimed at preventing the transmission of infections. Standard precautions are guidelines designed to reduce the risk of transmission of bloodborne and other pathogens, and wearing gloves is a key component of this. This practice protects both healthcare workers and patients by serving as a barrier against potential infectious materials.

The other options involve practices that do not universally apply as standard precautions. For instance, isolating all patients may not be necessary for infection control and is not part of the standard precaution protocol, which focuses on the use of protective equipment and hygiene practices rather than isolation. Washing hands only after contact with patients is inadequate, as effective infection prevention requires hand hygiene before and after patient interactions. Lastly, limiting access to patient rooms is more of a protocol that may apply in specific infection scenarios, rather than a consistent application of standard precautions. Therefore, the act of wearing gloves is the most representative of standard precautions aimed at minimizing infection risk.