Which guideline is NOT part of the standard precautions to break the chain of transmission?

The correct answer highlights an essential principle of infection control: the importance of not sharing personal items to maintain health and safety. In healthcare and hygiene practices, standard precautions are designed to minimize the risk of spreading infections. Sharing personal items can directly contribute to the transmission of pathogens, as these items may harbor infectious agents from one person to another.

By adhering to guidelines like proper hand-washing techniques, using protective equipment, and discarding soiled gloves and gowns, individuals take crucial steps to prevent the spread of infections. These practices create barriers that protect both the healthcare provider and the patient, effectively breaking the chain of transmission. Therefore, sharing personal items fundamentally contradicts the aim of standard precautions to reduce infection risk.