AP Infection Control & Prevention 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which hepatitis virus is most commonly transmitted through contaminated acupuncture needles due to its stability on environmental surfaces?
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B (Correct answer)
- Hepatitis C
- Hepatitis E
Correct answer: Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is highly stable on environmental surfaces for up to 7 days, making it a primary bloodborne pathogen concern in acupuncture practice.
Question 2: When performing auricular acupuncture, the practitioner should clean the ear with an antiseptic wipe and then:
- Insert needles immediately while skin is wet
- Allow the skin to dry completely before needling (Correct answer)
- Apply a second antiseptic layer before needling
- Wipe the area with a dry cloth before needling
Correct answer: Allow the skin to dry completely before needling
The skin must dry completely after antiseptic application to allow the antiseptic to work effectively and prevent introducing moisture into the puncture site.
Question 3: A patient discloses they are immunocompromised due to chemotherapy. Which infection control adjustment is MOST appropriate?
- Use non-sterile needles to reduce cost burden on the patient
- Apply additional antiseptic and use strict aseptic technique throughout (Correct answer)
- Decline to treat until chemotherapy is completed
- Use thicker-gauge needles to reduce insertion time
Correct answer: Apply additional antiseptic and use strict aseptic technique throughout
Immunocompromised patients are at elevated risk for infection, so strict aseptic technique and thorough antiseptic skin preparation are essential protective measures.
Question 4: What is the correct procedure if a practitioner's glove tears during treatment?
- Continue treatment and replace gloves after the session
- Apply tape over the tear and continue treatment
- Remove and replace the torn glove immediately before continuing (Correct answer)
- Switch to bare-hand technique since gloves are no longer intact
Correct answer: Remove and replace the torn glove immediately before continuing
A torn glove no longer provides a barrier against bloodborne pathogens and must be replaced immediately to maintain infection control standards.
Question 5: In the context of acupuncture, which item is classified as regulated medical waste?
- Unopened sterile needle packages
- Used needles and blood-saturated gauze (Correct answer)
- Paper examination table coverings
- Unused cotton balls
Correct answer: Used needles and blood-saturated gauze
Used needles (sharps) and materials saturated with blood are regulated medical waste requiring disposal in approved sharps containers and biohazard bags.
Question 6: Which disinfection level is required for items that come into contact with mucous membranes but do not penetrate sterile tissue?
- Low-level disinfection
- Intermediate-level disinfection
- High-level disinfection (Correct answer)
- Sterilization
Correct answer: High-level disinfection
High-level disinfection (HLD) is required for semi-critical items that contact mucous membranes or non-intact skin, as it destroys all microorganisms except high bacterial spore loads.
Question 7: Which type of precaution is considered the foundation of all infection control in acupuncture practice?
- Contact precautions
- Droplet precautions
- Standard precautions (Correct answer)
- Airborne precautions
Correct answer: Standard precautions
Standard precautions treat all patients as potentially infectious and include hand hygiene, PPE, and safe sharps handling as the baseline for every clinical encounter.
AP Infection Control & Prevention 2
Which hepatitis virus is most commonly transmitted through contaminated acupuncture needles due to its stability on environmental surfaces?