CMLA Infection Control 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What color biohazard bag is typically used for regulated medical waste disposal in US healthcare facilities?
- Blue
- Red (Correct answer)
- Yellow
- Orange
Correct answer: Red
Red biohazard bags are the US standard for collecting regulated medical waste that may contain blood or other infectious materials.
Question 2: A sharp container should be replaced when it is filled to what level?
- 100% full
- 90% full
- 75% full (Correct answer)
- 50% full
Correct answer: 75% full
Sharp containers should be sealed and replaced when three-quarters (75%) full to prevent overfilling and needle-stick injuries.
Question 3: Which of the following best describes the chain of infection?
- Pathogen → portal of exit → mode of transmission → portal of entry → susceptible host (Correct answer)
- Host → exposure → incubation → disease → recovery
- Exposure → infection → colonization → disease → transmission
- Reservoir → contact → infection → immunity → clearance
Correct answer: Pathogen → portal of exit → mode of transmission → portal of entry → susceptible host
The chain of infection describes the sequence from infectious agent through reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, to susceptible host.
Question 4: Which hand hygiene technique is specifically required when caring for a patient with Clostridioides difficile?
- Alcohol-based hand rub only
- Soap and water handwashing only (Correct answer)
- Either soap or ABHR are equally effective
- Antiseptic wipes followed by ABHR
Correct answer: Soap and water handwashing only
C. difficile spores are not destroyed by alcohol; soap and water handwashing is required to physically remove spores from hands.
Question 5: What is the purpose of an exposure control plan (ECP) in the laboratory?
- To document chemical spill responses
- To outline procedures for eliminating or minimizing bloodborne pathogen exposure (Correct answer)
- To schedule employee vaccinations
- To track equipment calibration records
Correct answer: To outline procedures for eliminating or minimizing bloodborne pathogen exposure
An ECP is required by OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard and documents how the facility will protect workers from occupational exposure.
Question 6: Which of the following is an example of an engineering control used to reduce needle-stick injuries?
- Recapping needles with two hands
- Using safety-engineered needles with retractable shields (Correct answer)
- Wearing double gloves
- Disposing sharps in regular trash
Correct answer: Using safety-engineered needles with retractable shields
Safety-engineered devices such as retractable or shielded needles are engineering controls that physically reduce the risk of accidental puncture.
Question 7: A laboratory specimen labeled 'biohazardous' arrives without a lid on the transport tube. What should the lab assistant do first?
- Process the specimen immediately to avoid delay
- Pour it into a new labeled container without gloves
- Don PPE and re-cap or contain the specimen before handling further (Correct answer)
- Discard the specimen and request a new collection
Correct answer: Don PPE and re-cap or contain the specimen before handling further
Donning PPE and containing the open specimen first protects the worker and prevents environmental contamination.
CMLA Infection Control 3
What color biohazard bag is typically used for regulated medical waste disposal in US healthcare facilities?