Free Esthetician Practice Infection Control and Safety Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During an extraction, a small amount of blood appears on the client's skin. What is the IMMEDIATE first step the esthetician should take?
- Apply an antiseptic to the area
- Dispose of the contaminated lancet in a sharps container
- Stop the service and put on gloves (Correct answer)
- Blot the area with a cotton round
Correct answer: Stop the service and put on gloves
According to safety and infection control protocols, the absolute first step in a blood exposure incident is to stop the service immediately and put on personal protective equipment (PPE), specifically gloves. This protects both the esthetician and the client from potential cross-contamination before any other action is taken.
Question 2: Which of the following is the most effective level of infection control and results in the destruction of all microbes, including spores?
- Sanitation
- Disinfection
- Antisepsis
- Sterilization (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Sterilization
Sterilization is the highest level of infection control, destroying all forms of microbial life, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and bacterial spores. Disinfection kills most microorganisms on non-living surfaces, but not necessarily spores. Sanitation simply reduces the number of germs to a safe level.
Question 3: An esthetician is setting up their treatment room. Which of the following represents an incorrect and unsafe practice regarding disinfection?
- Using tongs to remove implements from a disinfectant solution.
- Topping off the disinfectant solution with more concentrate at the end of the day. (Correct answer)
- Washing non-porous tools with soap and water before immersing them in disinfectant.
- Storing disinfected implements in a clean, covered container.
Correct answer: Topping off the disinfectant solution with more concentrate at the end of the day.
Disinfectant solutions should never be 'topped off.' They must be mixed daily, or according to the manufacturer's instructions, and replaced when they are visibly cloudy or contain debris. Topping off can dilute the solution, rendering it ineffective.
Question 4: The governmental agency that requires employers to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards and regulates standards for things like bloodborne pathogens and employee safety is known as:
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) (Correct answer)
- State Board of Cosmetology
Correct answer: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the federal agency responsible for ensuring safe and healthful working conditions for employees. This includes setting and enforcing standards such as the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard and Hazard Communication Standard.
Question 5: Which of the following items used in an esthetics service must be discarded after a single use?
- Glass electrodes
- Comedone extractor
- Cotton pads (Correct answer)
- Tweezers
Correct answer: Cotton pads
Porous items that cannot be properly cleaned and disinfected must be discarded after one use. Cotton pads are single-use items. Metal tweezers, comedone extractors, and glass electrodes are non-porous and can be cleaned and disinfected for reuse.
Question 6: To be effective against pathogens, a disinfectant used in a salon or spa must be registered with which agency?
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (Correct answer)
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- The National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC)
Correct answer: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
All disinfectants used in a professional setting must have an EPA registration number. This indicates that the product has been reviewed and approved by the Environmental Protection Agency for its efficacy claims against specific pathogens when used according to the label instructions.
