Health, Safety & Sanitation Standards Flashcards

A decedent is received with a known history of active Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD). What is the primary embalming safety concern?

Answer: Standard embalming chemicals do NOT inactivate prions, so embalming provides no decontamination benefit

Prions (the causative agent of CJD) are highly resistant to standard chemical disinfectants including formaldehyde, heat, and radiation, making decontamination of instruments extremely challenging.

When is double-gloving recommended for mortuary technicians?

Answer: When working with HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, or other high-risk infectious decedents

Double-gloving is recommended as an enhanced precaution for known or suspected high-risk infectious cases (HIV, hepatitis, etc.) to reduce the chance of skin contact if the outer glove tears.

What is the purpose of Universal Precautions in mortuary practice?

Answer: To treat ALL human blood and body fluids as potentially infectious regardless of known disease status

Universal Precautions (mandated by OSHA) require treating every decedent's blood and body fluids as infectious regardless of their diagnosis to protect against undiagnosed pathogens.

Which chemical hazard is created when bleach (sodium hypochlorite) is mixed with formaldehyde-based embalming fluids?

Answer: Bis(chloromethyl) ether (BCME), a potent carcinogen

Mixing bleach with formaldehyde can generate bis(chloromethyl) ether, a known human carcinogen, making this combination strictly prohibited in preparation rooms.

What temperature must an autoclave reach to achieve sterilization of contaminated instruments used in mortuary work?

Answer: 121°C (250°F) for at least 15 minutes at 15 psi

Standard gravity-displacement autoclaving requires 121°C (250°F) at 15 psi steam pressure for a minimum of 15 minutes to achieve sterilization of contaminated instruments.

A preparation room worker notices that their latex gloves have caused skin reactions. What is the most appropriate corrective action?

Answer: Switch to nitrile or vinyl gloves and report the allergy to the employer for documentation

Latex allergy (which can progress to anaphylaxis) requires switching to hypoallergenic alternatives like nitrile or vinyl, and the reaction must be documented as a workplace health incident.

Which regulation requires mortuary facilities to maintain an exposure control plan that is updated at least annually?

Answer: OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030)

OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard explicitly requires that the facility's written exposure control plan be reviewed and updated at least annually and after any procedural changes.