Safety & Hygiene Flashcards

What gauge range is most commonly used for acupuncture needles in standard practice?

Answer: 26–36 gauge

Acupuncture needles typically range from 26 to 36 gauge, which is very fine compared to hypodermic needles used for injections.

Which of the following is a contraindication to needle insertion directly over a site?

Answer: Active skin infection, lesion, or open wound

Inserting needles through infected, broken, or lesioned skin dramatically increases the risk of introducing pathogens deeper into tissue.

An exposure control plan (ECP) in an acupuncture clinic must be reviewed and updated at minimum:

Answer: Annually

OSHA requires that ECPs be reviewed and updated at least annually and whenever new tasks or procedures are introduced.

When recapping a used acupuncture needle is unavoidable, which technique is acceptable?

Answer: One-handed scoop technique using the cap on a flat surface

The one-handed scoop method minimizes needlestick risk by keeping the other hand away from the needle tip during recapping.

Which acupuncture point location carries the highest risk of cardiac tamponade if needled too deeply?

Answer: CV 17 (Shanzhong) / pericardial region

Points over the precordium (e.g., CV 14–17) risk pericardial puncture and cardiac tamponade if inserted too deeply.

To prevent fainting (vasovagal syncope) during acupuncture, which patient position is SAFEST for high-risk patients?

Answer: Supine (lying down)

Supine position is safest for needle-phobic or faint-prone patients because it prevents falls and facilitates blood return to the brain.

Which disinfectant level is appropriate for acupuncture treatment tables (non-critical surfaces)?

Answer: Low- to intermediate-level disinfection

Non-critical surfaces that contact intact skin require low- to intermediate-level disinfection between patients per standard infection control guidelines.