COF Infection Control & Universal Precautions — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to standard precautions, when must an orthotic fitter wear gloves during patient contact?
- Only when the patient has a documented infectious diagnosis
- Only during procedures that involve blood draws or injections
- Whenever contact with blood, body fluids, non-intact skin, or mucous membranes is possible (Correct answer)
- Only if the patient specifically requests it
Correct answer: Whenever contact with blood, body fluids, non-intact skin, or mucous membranes is possible
Standard precautions require gloves whenever there is a possibility of contact with blood, body fluids, non-intact skin, or mucous membranes — regardless of whether the patient is known to be infectious. The 'standard' means this applies to all patients universally.
Question 2: A prefabricated orthosis was trialed on a patient with a draining wound and must be decontaminated before use on another patient. What is the correct sequence?
- Disinfect first, then clean
- Sterilize only — disinfection alone is insufficient
- Clean to remove organic material first, then disinfect (Correct answer)
- Rinse with sterile water and air dry
Correct answer: Clean to remove organic material first, then disinfect
Cleaning must precede disinfection because organic material (blood, exudate) neutralizes most chemical disinfectants, rendering them ineffective. The correct sequence is always: clean (remove organic debris), then disinfect (kill pathogens).
Question 3: Which container is required for the disposal of sharps (needles, lancets) encountered in an orthotic fitting environment?
- A sealed plastic bag placed in the regular trash
- A red biohazard bag
- A labeled, puncture-resistant sharps container (Correct answer)
- A locked cabinet held for scheduled biomedical waste pickup
Correct answer: A labeled, puncture-resistant sharps container
Sharps must be placed immediately and directly into a puncture-resistant, clearly labeled sharps container to prevent needlestick injuries. Red biohazard bags are not puncture-resistant. Sharps should never be placed in regular trash or stored loosely.
Question 4: An orthotic fitter is assessing a patient's wound before fitting a foot orthosis. There is a risk of wound irrigation splashing. Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is minimally required?
- No PPE is needed if the wound appears clean and dry
- Gloves only
- Gloves and eye protection (Correct answer)
- Full gown, mask, gloves, and eye protection for all wound assessments
Correct answer: Gloves and eye protection
At minimum, gloves are required for wound contact. When splashing of body fluids is anticipated (e.g., wound irrigation), eye protection must be added to protect mucous membranes. Full PPE is reserved for higher-risk splash situations, not every wound assessment.
Question 5: Which statement best defines 'standard precautions' as applied in a clinical orthotics setting?
- Protective measures used exclusively for patients with confirmed bloodborne infections
- Treating every patient as potentially infectious to prevent pathogen transmission (Correct answer)
- Hand hygiene practices applied only before direct patient contact
- Infection control steps used only during surgical or invasive procedures
Correct answer: Treating every patient as potentially infectious to prevent pathogen transmission
Standard precautions — formerly called universal precautions — assume that any patient's blood or body fluids may be infectious, regardless of diagnosis or apparent health status. This universal application is the core principle.
Question 6: After fitting a diabetic patient with an insole, the fitter notices a small blood stain on the examination table. The correct immediate response is to:
- Cover the area with a paper towel and continue with the next patient
- Apply an alcohol-based hand rub to the surface and wipe dry
- Clean the area with soap and water to remove organic material, then disinfect with an EPA-registered disinfectant (Correct answer)
- Notify the building custodian and wait for professional environmental services
Correct answer: Clean the area with soap and water to remove organic material, then disinfect with an EPA-registered disinfectant
Blood on environmental surfaces requires a two-step process: first clean to remove organic material (which would otherwise neutralize disinfectants), then disinfect with an appropriate EPA-registered product effective against bloodborne pathogens. The fitter is responsible for immediate remediation, not deferral.
COF Infection Control & Universal Precautions
According to standard precautions, when must an orthotic fitter wear gloves during patient contact?