CIC Safety 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which practice is MOST effective in preventing latex allergy reactions in healthcare settings?
- Providing antihistamines to sensitive workers
- Substituting non-latex gloves and equipment wherever possible (Correct answer)
- Screening all patients for latex allergy on admission
- Using powdered latex gloves only for high-risk procedures
Correct answer: Substituting non-latex gloves and equipment wherever possible
The most effective strategy for preventing latex allergy is the substitution of latex-free products, reducing sensitization and exposure for both staff and patients.
Question 2: A patient under droplet precautions needs to be transported for imaging. What precaution should the patient wear during transport?
- N95 respirator
- Surgical mask (Correct answer)
- No mask if transport is brief
- Face shield
Correct answer: Surgical mask
Patients under droplet precautions should wear a surgical mask during transport to contain respiratory secretions and protect others.
Question 3: Which OSHA standard specifically requires employers to protect healthcare workers from bloodborne pathogens?
- 29 CFR 1910.132 – Personal Protective Equipment
- 29 CFR 1910.1030 – Bloodborne Pathogens (Correct answer)
- 29 CFR 1910.1200 – Hazard Communication
- 29 CFR 1910.134 – Respiratory Protection
Correct answer: 29 CFR 1910.1030 – Bloodborne Pathogens
29 CFR 1910.1030, the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, mandates employer protections including exposure control plans, HBV vaccination, and training.
Question 4: What is the recommended minimum air exchange rate per hour for an airborne infection isolation room (AIIR)?
- 2 air changes per hour
- 6 air changes per hour
- 12 air changes per hour (Correct answer)
- 20 air changes per hour
Correct answer: 12 air changes per hour
CDC and ASHRAE guidelines recommend a minimum of 12 air changes per hour in airborne infection isolation rooms.
Question 5: When performing a fit test for an N95 respirator, which test method uses a sweet or bitter aerosol to assess mask seal?
- Quantitative fit testing (QNFT)
- Qualitative fit testing (QLFT) (Correct answer)
- User seal check
- Pressure differential test
Correct answer: Qualitative fit testing (QLFT)
Qualitative fit testing (QLFT) uses the wearer's sensory response (taste or smell) to a challenge agent such as saccharin or Bitrex to determine adequate mask seal.
Question 6: Which action by a healthcare worker constitutes a violation of OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard?
- Using sharps with engineered sharps injury protections
- Eating lunch in a designated break room
- Storing food in a refrigerator that also contains blood specimens (Correct answer)
- Documenting exposure incidents in an exposure control log
Correct answer: Storing food in a refrigerator that also contains blood specimens
Storing food in the same refrigerator as blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) is explicitly prohibited by the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.
Question 7: A healthcare facility wants to reduce musculoskeletal injuries from patient handling. Which strategy is MOST aligned with a safe patient handling program?
- Training staff in manual lifting technique only
- Purchasing ceiling-mounted mechanical lift equipment (Correct answer)
- Requiring patients to assist regardless of mobility status
- Limiting the weight of patients admitted to the facility
Correct answer: Purchasing ceiling-mounted mechanical lift equipment
Ceiling-mounted mechanical lift equipment eliminates manual lifting, which is the most effective engineering control to prevent musculoskeletal injuries in patient handling.
CIC Safety 4
Which practice is MOST effective in preventing latex allergy reactions in healthcare settings?