Which of the following best describes contact transmission?

Contact transmission refers to the spread of pathogens through direct or indirect contact with an infected person or contaminated object. The option that best describes this type of transmission involves contaminated instruments, needles, or contaminated hands that have not been washed. This highlights the significance of hygiene and sterilization in preventing the spread of infections within healthcare settings.

In direct contact transmission, pathogens are transferred from one person to another through physical touch, while indirect contact transmission involves contact with a contaminated surface or object. This makes understanding and identifying contact transmission crucial for clinical medical assistants in implementing appropriate infection control measures.

Other options, although relevant to different modes of transmission, do not align with the definition of contact transmission. Respiratory droplets pertain to droplet transmission, while insect bites are an example of vector-borne transmission, and airborne transmission involves pathogens carried on dust or droplets in the air over distances. Thus, option B effectively captures the essence of contact transmission in a clinical context.