Employee & Occupational Health Flashcards

A healthcare worker receives a fingerstick from a patient's lancet. The source patient is unknown. What is the MOST appropriate initial action regarding HIV PEP?

Answer: Assess the exposure risk and consider PEP based on facility protocol and clinical judgment

PEP decisions for unknown sources should be individualized using risk assessment, the nature of the exposure, and local HIV prevalence rather than automatic initiation or refusal.

Which of the following is the BEST example of a work practice control to reduce bloodborne pathogen exposure?

Answer: Prohibiting recapping needles by a two-handed technique

Prohibiting two-handed recapping is a work practice control — it changes the behavior itself — whereas safety devices are engineering controls.

A healthcare worker is diagnosed with pertussis (whooping cough). The recommended work exclusion period after starting appropriate antibiotic treatment is:

Answer: 5 days after starting effective antibiotic therapy

Healthcare workers with pertussis may return to work 5 days after initiating effective antimicrobial therapy, as they are considered non-infectious by that point.

An infection preventionist is evaluating sharps injury data. The highest rate of injuries is occurring during which phase of device use?

Answer: After use but before disposal — during recapping, passing, or cleanup

Studies consistently show most sharps injuries occur after use and before or during disposal, particularly during recapping and transfer activities.

A healthcare worker with a documented anti-HBs titer of 5 mIU/mL after completing the initial hepatitis B vaccine series should:

Answer: Receive a second complete 3-dose vaccine series and retest

Workers who do not respond adequately to the first series should receive a second 3-dose series followed by post-vaccination serologic testing.

Which term describes a healthcare worker who has a positive TST or IGRA result but no symptoms, normal chest X-ray, and no evidence of active tuberculosis disease?

Answer: Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI)

Latent TB infection is defined by immune sensitization to M. tuberculosis without clinical, bacteriological, or radiographic evidence of active disease.

What is the primary purpose of an occupational health pre-placement evaluation for a new healthcare worker?

Answer: To establish a health baseline, assess immunity, and identify risks that may require job modification

Pre-placement evaluations establish baselines for future comparisons, assess vaccination immunity status, and identify conditions requiring accommodations or restrictions.