Which term refers to actions taken in advance to prevent harm?

• A. Preventive measures
• B. Precautions
• C. Safety protocols
• D. Protective steps

Answer: (B)

Taking precautions means acting ahead of time to reduce risk and prevent harm. In healthcare, precautions are the specific steps you perform or use before a potential hazard occurs—like practicing good hand hygiene, donning appropriate PPE, using proper body mechanics, and ensuring safety features such as bed rails when needed. These proactive actions are designed to stop problems before they start, which is exactly what the question is asking for.

Preventive measures and safety protocols are related but broader. Preventive measures describe general strategies or programs to reduce risk, while safety protocols are established procedures to follow. Protective steps is a less standard term and less precise in describing the proactive actions taken to prevent harm.