AP Infection Control & Prevention 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A sharps container should be sealed and replaced when it reaches what fill level?
- 25% full
- 50% full
- 75% full (Correct answer)
- 100% full
Correct answer: 75% full
Sharps containers should be sealed and replaced at the three-quarters full mark to prevent overfilling, which increases the risk of needlestick injuries during disposal.
Question 2: What is the purpose of using a single-use, sterile field drape when preparing acupuncture equipment?
- To keep needles warm prior to insertion
- To provide a clean barrier surface that reduces contamination risk (Correct answer)
- To absorb excess antiseptic from the patient's skin
- To organize needles by gauge size
Correct answer: To provide a clean barrier surface that reduces contamination risk
A sterile field drape creates a clean barrier surface that prevents needles and other sterile instruments from contacting non-sterile surfaces.
Question 3: Which OSHA standard specifically governs occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens in acupuncture clinics?
- 29 CFR 1910.132
- 29 CFR 1910.1030 (Correct answer)
- 29 CFR 1910.1200
- 29 CFR 1910.134
Correct answer: 29 CFR 1910.1030
OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) requires exposure control plans, PPE, training, and HBV vaccination for workers with occupational exposure to blood.
Question 4: After treating a patient with a known MRSA skin infection, what should be done with the treatment table?
- Wipe down with plain water and replace the paper cover
- Clean and disinfect with an EPA-registered, hospital-grade disinfectant (Correct answer)
- Allow the table to air out for 30 minutes without disinfection
- Use UV light only, without surface disinfectant
Correct answer: Clean and disinfect with an EPA-registered, hospital-grade disinfectant
An EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant with documented efficacy against MRSA must be used to decontaminate surfaces after treating an MRSA-positive patient.
Question 5: Which hand hygiene method is MORE effective than alcohol-based hand rub for eliminating Clostridium difficile spores?
- Applying two separate layers of hand rub
- Washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (Correct answer)
- Using iodine-based hand rub instead of alcohol
- Wearing two pairs of gloves without handwashing
Correct answer: Washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
Alcohol-based hand rubs are not effective against C. difficile spores; soap and water physically removes spores through friction and rinsing.
Question 6: Which of the following is an example of engineering control in acupuncture infection control?
- Educating staff on standard precautions
- Using puncture-resistant sharps containers (Correct answer)
- Requiring practitioners to wear gloves
- Posting infection control policy signs
Correct answer: Using puncture-resistant sharps containers
Engineering controls are physical or mechanical barriers that reduce exposure risk, and puncture-resistant sharps containers are a classic engineering control for needlestick prevention.
Question 7: When should an acupuncture practitioner perform hand hygiene during patient treatment?
- Only before the treatment begins
- Only after removing gloves at the end of treatment
- Before patient contact, before aseptic tasks, after body fluid exposure, and after patient contact (Correct answer)
- Once at the start and once at the end of the clinic day
Correct answer: Before patient contact, before aseptic tasks, after body fluid exposure, and after patient contact
The WHO's five moments of hand hygiene require handwashing before patient contact, before aseptic procedures, after body fluid exposure, after patient contact, and after touching patient surroundings.
AP Infection Control & Prevention 3
A sharps container should be sealed and replaced when it reaches what fill level?