CBIC Employee Health 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A healthcare worker is found to have active pulmonary tuberculosis. According to CDC guidelines, when can they return to work?
- After three consecutive negative AFB sputum smears and clinical improvement (Correct answer)
- After 2 weeks of anti-TB therapy regardless of smear results
- After one negative sputum culture
- After 30 days of treatment
Correct answer: After three consecutive negative AFB sputum smears and clinical improvement
Return to work requires clinical improvement and three negative AFB sputum smears collected 8–24 hours apart.
Question 2: Which vaccine is recommended annually for all healthcare personnel to prevent transmission to vulnerable patients?
- Influenza (Correct answer)
- Hepatitis A
- Pneumococcal
- Meningococcal
Correct answer: Influenza
Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all healthcare personnel by the CDC and ACIP to protect patients and staff.
Question 3: A healthcare worker sustains a needlestick from a source patient who is hepatitis C antibody positive. The correct initial action is:
- Baseline HCV antibody and ALT testing of the exposed worker (Correct answer)
- Immediately start direct-acting antiviral therapy
- Administer hepatitis C immune globulin
- Retest the source patient with PCR before acting
Correct answer: Baseline HCV antibody and ALT testing of the exposed worker
Baseline HCV antibody and liver enzyme testing of the exposed worker should be done immediately following a hepatitis C exposure.
Question 4: What is the recommended follow-up testing interval after a high-risk HIV needlestick exposure?
- Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 6 months post-exposure (Correct answer)
- Baseline and 3 months only
- Baseline, 1 month, and 3 months
- Weekly for 3 months
Correct answer: Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 6 months post-exposure
CDC recommends HIV testing at baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 6 months after a high-risk exposure.
Question 5: An employee health nurse is assessing a worker with recurrent boils caused by MRSA. The most appropriate action is:
- Decolonization therapy and wound management; restrict from care of high-risk patients (Correct answer)
- Immediate termination pending culture results
- Allow unrestricted work if wounds are covered
- Mandatory hospitalization for IV antibiotic treatment
Correct answer: Decolonization therapy and wound management; restrict from care of high-risk patients
MRSA-infected employees with draining lesions should undergo decolonization and be restricted from care of immunocompromised or high-risk patients.
Question 6: Which element is essential in a written blood and body fluid exposure control plan under OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard?
- Exposure determination identifying job classifications at risk (Correct answer)
- Annual financial cost of sharps injuries
- List of employees who have declined vaccination
- Names of source patients involved in prior exposures
Correct answer: Exposure determination identifying job classifications at risk
OSHA requires exposure control plans to include an exposure determination that identifies job classifications where occupational exposure occurs.
Question 7: A pregnant healthcare worker is concerned about exposure to cytomegalovirus (CMV). The best advice is:
- Practice strict hand hygiene; universal precautions are sufficient protection (Correct answer)
- Request immediate transfer to administrative duties
- Wear an N95 mask at all times during patient care
- Request prophylactic antiviral therapy
Correct answer: Practice strict hand hygiene; universal precautions are sufficient protection
CMV is transmitted via contact with bodily fluids, and consistent hand hygiene with standard precautions provides adequate protection for pregnant HCWs.
CBIC Employee Health 3
A healthcare worker is found to have active pulmonary tuberculosis.
According to CDC guidelines, when can they return to work?