CHP Safety Standards & Hygiene Practices 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, which document must employers provide to employees who have occupational exposure to blood?
- A general safety handbook
- An Exposure Control Plan (Correct answer)
- A personal liability waiver
- A client intake form template
Correct answer: An Exposure Control Plan
OSHA requires employers to establish and maintain a written Exposure Control Plan that outlines procedures for minimizing occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
Question 2: A practitioner accidentally sustains a needlestick injury during wet hijama. What is the FIRST immediate action?
- Report the incident to a supervisor immediately
- Squeeze the wound to express blood and flush with running water and soap (Correct answer)
- Apply a bandage and continue the session
- Administer prophylactic antibiotics from the first-aid kit
Correct answer: Squeeze the wound to express blood and flush with running water and soap
The immediate first response to a needlestick is to squeeze the site gently, then wash thoroughly with soap and running water before reporting and seeking medical evaluation.
Question 3: When sterilizing reusable metal lancets in an autoclave, what is the standard minimum sterilization cycle for unwrapped instruments?
- 121°C (250°F) at 15 psi for 15 minutes (Correct answer)
- 134°C (273°F) at 30 psi for 3 minutes
- 100°C (212°F) at 0 psi for 20 minutes
- 160°C (320°F) dry heat for 60 minutes
Correct answer: 121°C (250°F) at 15 psi for 15 minutes
The standard gravity displacement autoclave cycle for sterilizing unwrapped instruments is 121°C at 15 psi for a minimum of 15 minutes.
Question 4: Which condition is an absolute contraindication for performing wet hijama?
- Mild seasonal allergies
- Hemophilia or active anticoagulant therapy (Correct answer)
- Well-controlled type 2 diabetes
- Mild hypertension managed with medication
Correct answer: Hemophilia or active anticoagulant therapy
Hemophilia and active anticoagulation (e.g., warfarin therapy) are absolute contraindications for wet hijama due to uncontrollable bleeding risk.
Question 5: What is the correct way to label a biohazard waste container used in a hijama clinic?
- Write 'Medical Waste' in black marker on any red bag
- Use only the universal biohazard symbol on a fluorescent orange or orange-red label (Correct answer)
- No labeling is required if the bag is red colored
- Label with the client's name and date of service
Correct answer: Use only the universal biohazard symbol on a fluorescent orange or orange-red label
OSHA requires that biohazard containers display the universal biohazard symbol with the word 'BIOHAZARD' on a fluorescent orange or orange-red background.
Question 6: How should a hijama practitioner handle a client's used towels and linens after a session involving blood exposure?
- Place in a standard laundry bag and wash with cold water
- Dispose of all linens as single-use biohazard waste after every session
- Bag separately, label as contaminated, and launder with hot water and detergent (Correct answer)
- Rinse in the sink before placing in the regular laundry
Correct answer: Bag separately, label as contaminated, and launder with hot water and detergent
Blood-contaminated linens must be bagged separately and labeled before laundering in hot water with detergent to inactivate pathogens per bloodborne pathogen guidelines.
Question 7: What is the primary reason practitioners must avoid touching their face, mouth, or eyes while performing a wet hijama session?
- It appears unprofessional to clients
- Mucous membranes are portals of entry for bloodborne and airborne pathogens (Correct answer)
- It can cause the gloves to tear unexpectedly
- Facial contact reduces focus and technical precision
Correct answer: Mucous membranes are portals of entry for bloodborne and airborne pathogens
Mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and mouth are direct entry points for pathogens and must be protected from contact with contaminated gloves.
CHP Safety Standards & Hygiene Practices 3
According to OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, which document must employers provide to employees who have occupational exposure to blood?