ACC Safety & Hygiene 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A practitioner sustains a needlestick injury from a used acupuncture needle. What is the FIRST action to take?
- Immediately apply antiseptic and bandage
- Wash the site thoroughly with soap and water (Correct answer)
- Report the incident to a supervisor
- Draw blood from the injury site to reduce pathogen load
Correct answer: Wash the site thoroughly with soap and water
The first response to a needlestick is immediate washing with soap and water for several minutes before reporting and further evaluation.
Question 2: Which federal agency sets the bloodborne pathogen standard that acupuncture clinics must follow?
- CDC
- FDA
- OSHA (Correct answer)
- NIOSH
Correct answer: OSHA
OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) mandates exposure control plans, PPE, and sharps management for occupational exposure settings.
Question 3: What is 'clean needle technique' (CNT) primarily designed to prevent?
- Needle bending during insertion
- Cross-contamination and infection transmission (Correct answer)
- Patient discomfort from needle sensation
- Needle breakage at the shaft
Correct answer: Cross-contamination and infection transmission
CNT is a set of aseptic practices designed to prevent the transmission of infection between patients and practitioners during acupuncture.
Question 4: How should single-use acupuncture needles be stored prior to use?
- In an open tray for easy access
- In a dry, clean area away from direct sunlight and moisture (Correct answer)
- Submerged in alcohol solution
- In a refrigerated compartment
Correct answer: In a dry, clean area away from direct sunlight and moisture
Needles must be stored in a cool, dry, clean area to prevent degradation of packaging sterility and avoid moisture contamination.
Question 5: Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is routinely recommended for acupuncture practitioners during needle insertion?
- Sterile gown and face shield
- Gloves only when treating high-risk patients
- Gloves as standard practice for all needle procedures (Correct answer)
- Mask and eye protection only
Correct answer: Gloves as standard practice for all needle procedures
Standard precautions recommend wearing gloves during any procedure involving potential contact with blood or body fluids, including acupuncture.
Question 6: Which of the following surfaces in an acupuncture treatment room requires disinfection between patients?
- Waiting room chairs only
- Treatment table and any surfaces that may have been touched or contaminated (Correct answer)
- Only the sharps container lid
- The floor beneath the treatment table
Correct answer: Treatment table and any surfaces that may have been touched or contaminated
All high-touch surfaces, including the treatment table, must be disinfected between patients to prevent cross-contamination.
Question 7: Pneumothorax is a known risk of needling which region?
- Lumbar spine
- Anterior shin
- Upper back and chest wall near the lung apex (Correct answer)
- Lateral hip
Correct answer: Upper back and chest wall near the lung apex
Needling points overlying the lung apices (e.g., GB 21, BL 13) at excessive depth can puncture the pleura and cause pneumothorax.
ACC Safety & Hygiene 3
A practitioner sustains a needlestick injury from a used acupuncture needle.
What is the FIRST action to take?