APHA Injection Safety & Infection Control 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What needle length is recommended for intramuscular (IM) vaccine administration in the deltoid of an average adult weighing 130–152 lbs?
- 1 inch (25 mm) (Correct answer)
- 5/8 inch (16 mm)
- 1½ inch (38 mm)
- 2 inch (50 mm)
Correct answer: 1 inch (25 mm)
CDC/ACIP recommends a 1-inch (25 mm) needle for deltoid IM injections in adults of average weight; length increases for heavier individuals.
Question 2: According to Standard Precautions, gloves should be worn during vaccine administration:
- Only when the patient has a known bloodborne infection
- Whenever contact with blood or body fluids is possible (Correct answer)
- Only when administering intravenous medications
- Only if the administrator has open wounds on their hands
Correct answer: Whenever contact with blood or body fluids is possible
Standard Precautions require gloves whenever contact with blood or body fluids is anticipated, regardless of the patient's known infection status.
Question 3: What is the preferred method of hand hygiene before administering vaccines when hands are not visibly soiled?
- Alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol (Correct answer)
- Soap and water only, regardless of soil level
- Antimicrobial soap only
- Hand sanitizer containing at least 40% alcohol
Correct answer: Alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol
CDC recommends alcohol-based hand rubs (≥60% alcohol) as the preferred method of hand hygiene when hands are not visibly soiled.
Question 4: Which practice best prevents needlestick injuries in an immunization setting?
- Recapping needles using a two-handed technique
- Using safety-engineered needles and activating the safety device immediately after withdrawal (Correct answer)
- Bending the needle before disposal
- Removing the needle from the syringe before placing it in the sharps container
Correct answer: Using safety-engineered needles and activating the safety device immediately after withdrawal
OSHA requires safety-engineered needles and mandates immediate activation of safety devices after needle withdrawal to minimize needlestick risk.
Question 5: Used needles and syringes must be discarded immediately into:
- Regular trash containers lined with red biohazard bags
- Puncture-resistant, leak-proof sharps containers (Correct answer)
- Any sealed rigid plastic container available
- Biohazard bags without a rigid outer container
Correct answer: Puncture-resistant, leak-proof sharps containers
OSHA requires all contaminated sharps to be discarded in puncture-resistant, leak-proof sharps containers to prevent injury and exposure.
Question 6: At what angle should the needle be inserted for an intramuscular (IM) injection?
- 45 degrees
- 15 degrees
- 90 degrees (Correct answer)
- 30 degrees
Correct answer: 90 degrees
IM injections are administered at a 90-degree angle to the skin to ensure the vaccine is deposited into muscle tissue.
Question 7: To maintain sterility when accessing a multi-dose vaccine vial, the administrator should:
- Use the same needle and syringe to draw multiple doses for efficiency
- Wipe the rubber stopper with a new alcohol swab before each puncture (Correct answer)
- Store opened vials at room temperature to allow easy repeated access
- Insert the needle into the vial and leave it between doses to avoid repeated puncture
Correct answer: Wipe the rubber stopper with a new alcohol swab before each puncture
The rubber stopper of a multi-dose vial must be cleaned with a fresh alcohol swab before each access to prevent microbial contamination.
APHA Injection Safety & Infection Control 1
What needle length is recommended for intramuscular (IM) vaccine administration in the deltoid of an average adult weighing 130–152 lbs?