CMA Infection Control and Safety 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of the Exposure Control Plan required by OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard?
- To train employees on all OSHA regulations
- To eliminate or minimize employee exposure to bloodborne pathogens (Correct answer)
- To document patient medical histories
- To establish billing procedures for exposure incidents
Correct answer: To eliminate or minimize employee exposure to bloodborne pathogens
The Exposure Control Plan's primary purpose is to eliminate or minimize occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens through engineering controls, work practices, and PPE.
Question 2: Which hepatitis virus is most commonly transmitted via contaminated needles and is a significant occupational risk for healthcare workers?
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B (Correct answer)
- Hepatitis C
- Hepatitis E
Correct answer: Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is highly transmissible via needlestick injuries and is the primary vaccine-preventable bloodborne pathogen risk for healthcare workers.
Question 3: A sharps container should be replaced when it is how full?
- Completely full
- Three-quarters (75%) full (Correct answer)
- Half (50%) full
- One-quarter (25%) full
Correct answer: Three-quarters (75%) full
Sharps containers must be replaced when three-quarters (75%) full to prevent overfilling, which increases the risk of needlestick injury during disposal.
Question 4: Which hand hygiene method is preferred when hands are visibly soiled with blood or body fluids?
- Alcohol-based hand rub
- Soap and water wash for at least 20 seconds (Correct answer)
- Antimicrobial wipes
- Either soap or alcohol rub equally
Correct answer: Soap and water wash for at least 20 seconds
When hands are visibly soiled, soap and water must be used because alcohol-based hand rubs cannot physically remove organic material from the skin.
Question 5: The term 'engineering controls' in infection control refers to:
- Employee training programs on safe work practices
- Physical modifications that isolate or remove hazards such as needle-retraction devices (Correct answer)
- Administrative policies about PPE use
- Regular audits of infection control compliance
Correct answer: Physical modifications that isolate or remove hazards such as needle-retraction devices
Engineering controls are physical or mechanical devices — such as needleless systems or sharps disposal containers — that remove or isolate bloodborne pathogen hazards.
Question 6: When cleaning a blood spill on a countertop, what is the minimum recommended concentration of sodium hypochlorite (bleach) solution?
- 1:100 dilution (approximately 500 ppm)
- 1:10 dilution (approximately 5,000 ppm) (Correct answer)
- 1:1000 dilution (approximately 50 ppm)
- Undiluted bleach is required
Correct answer: 1:10 dilution (approximately 5,000 ppm)
A 1:10 bleach solution (approximately 5,000 ppm available chlorine) is the CDC-recommended minimum for decontaminating blood spills on surfaces.
Question 7: Which of the following actions represents correct 'doffing' (removing) sequence for PPE?
- Remove mask first, then gown, then gloves, then eye protection
- Remove gloves, then eye protection, then gown, then mask or respirator (Correct answer)
- Remove gown first, then mask, then gloves, then eye protection
- Remove eye protection first, then mask, then gloves, then gown
Correct answer: Remove gloves, then eye protection, then gown, then mask or respirator
The correct doffing sequence is gloves first (most contaminated), then eye protection, then gown, and finally the mask or respirator to prevent self-contamination.
CMA Infection Control and Safety 4
What is the primary purpose of the Exposure Control Plan required by OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard?