What combination of measures best addresses potential contamination when clients share a workstation?

• A. Use barrier protection, disinfect between clients, and ensure dedicated tools for each client
• B. Use barrier protection and disinfect between clients
• C. Use disposable gloves only
• D. Rely on clean surfaces without barriers

Answer: (B)

Preventing cross-contamination in a shared workspace relies on a two-layer approach: creating barriers and actively cleaning between clients. Barrier protection adds disposable covers or barriers to surfaces and equipment, so any contaminants from one client stay on the barrier rather than reaching the actual work surface or tools. Disinfecting between clients then kills whatever pathogens may have contaminated those surfaces during the session, ensuring the workstation is clean for the next client.

Relying only on clean surfaces without barriers isn’t enough because pathogens can linger on surfaces even after a quick wipe, and using disposable gloves alone doesn’t address surface contamination once those gloves are removed. While having dedicated tools for each client is beneficial, the combination of barriers and disinfection covers the essential risk management for a shared workstation in a practical, effective way.