FAC Facial Aesthetics Safety, Hygiene & Infection Control 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which organism is most commonly implicated in biofilm formation around dermal filler implants?
- Streptococcus pyogenes
- Staphylococcus epidermidis (Correct answer)
- Candida albicans
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Correct answer: Staphylococcus epidermidis
Staphylococcus epidermidis is the leading cause of biofilm-related delayed inflammatory reactions around hyaluronic acid and other dermal fillers.
Question 2: What is the minimum contact time for a quaternary ammonium compound surface disinfectant to be effective in an aesthetics treatment room?
- 5 seconds
- 30 seconds
- The manufacturer's stated dwell time (typically 3–10 minutes) (Correct answer)
- 1 minute regardless of product
Correct answer: The manufacturer's stated dwell time (typically 3–10 minutes)
Disinfectants must remain wet on the surface for the manufacturer's specified dwell time — usually 3–10 minutes — to achieve the labeled kill claims.
Question 3: Under CDC hand hygiene guidelines, when is an alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) NOT appropriate, requiring soap and water instead?
- Before gloving for an injection procedure
- When hands are visibly soiled or contaminated with blood (Correct answer)
- Between patients when hands appear clean
- After removing gloves from a clean procedure
Correct answer: When hands are visibly soiled or contaminated with blood
Soap and water must be used when hands are visibly soiled or contaminated with blood or other body fluids, as ABHR is ineffective in those conditions.
Question 4: A vial of botulinum toxin is reconstituted but not fully used. Per standard safety practice, how should the remainder be stored?
- At room temperature for up to 48 hours
- In a refrigerator at 2–8°C and used within the manufacturer's specified window (typically 24 hours) (Correct answer)
- Frozen at -20°C for future use
- Combined with a new vial to reduce waste
Correct answer: In a refrigerator at 2–8°C and used within the manufacturer's specified window (typically 24 hours)
Reconstituted botulinum toxin must be refrigerated at 2–8°C and used within the manufacturer's stated timeframe, commonly 24 hours, to maintain potency and sterility.
Question 5: Which of the following is a classic early sign of a localized infection following a dermal filler procedure?
- Systemic fever above 38.5°C within one hour
- Localized erythema, warmth, swelling, and pain beyond expected post-procedure response (Correct answer)
- Bilateral bruising at remote injection sites
- Immediate blanching at the injection site
Correct answer: Localized erythema, warmth, swelling, and pain beyond expected post-procedure response
Classic signs of localized infection — rubor, calor, tumor, and dolor beyond expected post-procedure changes — warrant prompt clinical assessment and possible antibiotic therapy.
Question 6: What is the purpose of using a fresh needle for each injection pass during a botulinum toxin session?
- To ensure accurate depth measurement
- To minimize pain from needle blunting and reduce infection risk (Correct answer)
- To allow for different dilutions at each site
- To comply with product manufacturer's cosmetic instructions
Correct answer: To minimize pain from needle blunting and reduce infection risk
Each injection pass blunts the needle tip and may introduce surface bacteria; changing needles reduces both patient discomfort and the risk of introducing contaminants.
Question 7: In US aesthetics practice, who is responsible for maintaining the sharps injury log required under OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard?
- The individual practitioner involved in the injury
- The facility/employer (Correct answer)
- The state health department
- The equipment manufacturer
Correct answer: The facility/employer
OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) requires the employer/facility to maintain a sharps injury log and exposure control plan.
FAC Facial Aesthetics Safety, Hygiene & Infection Control 3
Which organism is most commonly implicated in biofilm formation around dermal filler implants?