DANB DANB Sharps Safety & Exposure Control 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: After a blood exposure incident, which federal agency provides post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) guidelines for dental healthcare workers?
- OSHA
- EPA
- CDC (Correct answer)
- FDA
Correct answer: CDC
The CDC provides updated guidelines for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) following occupational blood or body fluid exposures in healthcare settings including dentistry.
Question 2: Which bloodborne pathogen poses the HIGHEST risk of transmission after a single needlestick exposure?
- HIV
- Hepatitis C (HCV)
- Hepatitis B (HBV) (Correct answer)
- All three are equal
Correct answer: Hepatitis B (HBV)
Hepatitis B has the highest transmission risk after a needlestick at 6–30%, compared to HCV at 1.8% and HIV at 0.3%, making HBV vaccination critical for dental workers.
Question 3: An Exposure Control Plan (ECP) in a dental office must be reviewed and updated:
- Every 5 years
- Only when new staff are hired
- At least annually and when tasks or procedures change (Correct answer)
- Only when OSHA inspects
Correct answer: At least annually and when tasks or procedures change
OSHA requires the Exposure Control Plan to be reviewed and updated at least annually and whenever new tasks, procedures, or employee positions are added that affect exposure risk.
Question 4: What does the term 'engineering controls' refer to in the context of sharps safety?
- Policies and procedures staff must follow
- Physical devices that isolate or remove hazards, such as retractable needles (Correct answer)
- Personal protective equipment worn by staff
- Training programs for dental assistants
Correct answer: Physical devices that isolate or remove hazards, such as retractable needles
Engineering controls are physical devices or equipment — such as retractable needles, needle recapping devices, and sharps containers — that eliminate or minimize exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
Question 5: Who is responsible for providing hepatitis B vaccination to dental employees at risk of occupational exposure?
- The employee at their own expense
- The employer, at no cost to the employee (Correct answer)
- The state health department
- The employee's health insurance
Correct answer: The employer, at no cost to the employee
Under OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, employers must offer hepatitis B vaccination series to all employees at occupational risk, at no cost to the employee.
Question 6: If a dental assistant sustains a needlestick from a patient of unknown HIV status, what is the appropriate next step?
- Assume the patient is HIV-positive and begin PEP immediately
- Flush the wound, report to supervisor, and seek immediate medical evaluation to determine if PEP is indicated (Correct answer)
- Do nothing unless the patient tests positive
- Wait 72 hours before deciding on PEP
Correct answer: Flush the wound, report to supervisor, and seek immediate medical evaluation to determine if PEP is indicated
After washing the wound, the incident must be reported immediately and a medical evaluation performed quickly to assess PEP eligibility, as PEP is most effective when started within 72 hours.
DANB DANB Sharps Safety & Exposure Control 2
After a blood exposure incident, which federal agency provides post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) guidelines for dental healthcare workers?