DANB Sharps Safety & Exposure Control Flashcards
6 cards from real DANB practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 DANB Sharps Safety & Exposure Control flashcards as text
After a blood exposure incident, which federal agency provides post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) guidelines for dental healthcare workers?
Answer: CDC
The CDC provides updated guidelines for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) following occupational blood or body fluid exposures in healthcare settings including dentistry.
Which bloodborne pathogen poses the HIGHEST risk of transmission after a single needlestick exposure?
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.
An Exposure Control Plan (ECP) in a dental office must be reviewed and updated:
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.
What does the term 'engineering controls' refer to in the context of sharps safety?
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.
Who is responsible for providing hepatitis B vaccination to dental employees at risk of occupational exposure?
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.
If a dental assistant sustains a needlestick from a patient of unknown HIV status, what is the appropriate next step?
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.