CLT Infection Control & Sterilization in Laser Therapy 3

Question 1

A laser handpiece applicator has contacted non-intact skin during a wound care treatment. What reprocessing level is required?

Accepted Answer

Intermediate to high-level disinfection per manufacturer protocol

Answer

Wipe with a dry paper towel and return to storage

Answer

Rinse under running water for 30 seconds

Answer

Low-level disinfection with an alcohol wipe only

Question 2

What dual function do disposable barrier covers (probe sheaths) serve in laser therapy?

Accepted Answer

They protect the probe from contamination and provide an infection control barrier between the device and patient tissue

Answer

They increase laser output intensity and reduce treatment time

Answer

They change the emitted laser wavelength for different tissue types

Answer

They are used solely to improve patient comfort during contact treatments

Question 3

When treating a patient known to be hepatitis B positive, which approach best describes correct infection control practice?

Accepted Answer

Apply standard precautions consistently, treating all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious regardless of diagnosis

Answer

Decline to treat the patient due to transmission risk

Answer

Triple-layer all PPE beyond normal requirements only for this patient

Answer

No additional precautions are needed since hepatitis B is transmitted only by direct blood contact

Question 4

What is the correct management of a sharps container used in a laser therapy practice that includes injections or lancet use?

Accepted Answer

Seal when three-quarters full and arrange disposal through a licensed medical waste service

Answer

Empty daily into the general waste bin to avoid overflow

Answer

Leave the lid off for continuous and convenient access during the day

Answer

Autoclave the sealed container on-site before discarding in regular waste

Question 5

During laser therapy involving wound care, which materials must be disposed of in labeled biohazard (regulated medical waste) bags?

Accepted Answer

Gauze, dressings, and any materials visibly contaminated with blood or body fluids

Answer

Paper towels used only for hand drying

Answer

Empty disinfectant spray bottles

Answer

Used laser protective eyewear after cleaning

Question 6

What is the primary infection control hazard associated with laser plume generated during ablative or high-power laser treatments?

Accepted Answer

Plume may contain viable microorganisms, viral DNA, and cellular debris that pose an inhalation risk

Answer

Laser plume is only a fire and combustion safety hazard with no infectious implications

Answer

Plume poses no infection control concern because laser energy kills all organisms it contacts

Answer

Plume only contaminates the laser equipment itself and not the clinical environment

Question 7

Which principle describes the correct directional workflow in a laser therapy clinical setting to maintain infection control integrity?

Accepted Answer

Work from clean to dirty — move from the cleanest items and zones toward the most contaminated, never in reverse

Answer

Store clean and used equipment together for operational efficiency

Answer

Alternate between clean and dirty zones freely throughout the day

Answer

The clean-to-dirty distinction applies only during surgical procedures, not laser therapy