AOC Safety and Infection Control 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What minimum contact time is typically required for a glutaraldehyde solution to achieve high-level disinfection of ophthalmic instruments?
- 1 minute
- 10 minutes
- 20 minutes (Correct answer)
- 60 minutes
Correct answer: 20 minutes
High-level disinfection with 2% glutaraldehyde generally requires a minimum contact time of 20 minutes at room temperature to eliminate vegetative bacteria, mycobacteria, fungi, and most viruses.
Question 2: Which of the following is an example of an engineering control for bloodborne pathogen safety?
- Hand hygiene policy
- Safety-engineered needles with retractable sheaths (Correct answer)
- Hepatitis B vaccination program
- Immediate glove use during procedures
Correct answer: Safety-engineered needles with retractable sheaths
Safety-engineered devices such as retractable needles are engineering controls that physically reduce exposure risk, unlike administrative or PPE controls.
Question 3: A healthcare worker sustains a needlestick injury from a patient of unknown HIV status. What is the first immediate action?
- Report to supervisor and complete incident report
- Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water (Correct answer)
- Begin post-exposure prophylaxis immediately
- Draw blood from the worker for baseline HIV testing
Correct answer: Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water
The first immediate action after a needlestick is to wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water, followed by reporting and assessment for post-exposure prophylaxis.
Question 4: What does 'sterilization' mean in the context of infection control?
- Removal of all visible organic material
- Elimination of all microbial life including spores (Correct answer)
- Reduction of microorganisms to a safe level
- Destruction of vegetative bacteria and viruses only
Correct answer: Elimination of all microbial life including spores
Sterilization is the complete elimination of all forms of microbial life, including bacterial spores, which distinguishes it from disinfection.
Question 5: Which of the following patients would be classified as an immunocompromised host requiring enhanced infection control precautions?
- A patient with seasonal allergies
- A patient receiving chemotherapy (Correct answer)
- A patient with controlled hypertension
- A patient with corrected refractive error
Correct answer: A patient receiving chemotherapy
Patients receiving chemotherapy have suppressed immune systems and are at heightened risk for opportunistic infections, requiring enhanced protective precautions.
Question 6: What is the purpose of the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030)?
- To mandate annual flu vaccinations for all healthcare workers
- To protect workers from occupational exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials (Correct answer)
- To regulate disposal of all medical waste regardless of infection risk
- To require HIV testing of all clinical staff annually
Correct answer: To protect workers from occupational exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials
OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard sets requirements to protect healthcare workers from occupational exposure to HIV, HBV, and other bloodborne pathogens.
Question 7: When should an orthoptist wash hands during a patient encounter even if gloves were worn?
- Only before the encounter begins
- Only after glove removal at the end of the encounter
- After glove removal and whenever hands may have become contaminated (Correct answer)
- Hand washing is unnecessary if gloves are worn throughout
Correct answer: After glove removal and whenever hands may have become contaminated
Hand hygiene is required after glove removal because gloves may have micro-perforations and contamination can occur during glove removal; hands should also be washed whenever contamination is suspected.
AOC Safety and Infection Control 3
What minimum contact time is typically required for a glutaraldehyde solution to achieve high-level disinfection of ophthalmic instruments?