Medical Laboratory Technician Laboratory Operations and Safety 1 Flashcards
6 cards from real Medical Laboratory Technician Exam practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
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Which color-coded biohazard bag is universally used in clinical laboratories for the disposal of regulated medical waste that may contain bloodborne pathogens?
Answer: Red or orange bag with the biohazard symbol
Red or orange bags bearing the biohazard symbol are required by OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) for disposal of regulated medical waste such as contaminated gloves, gauze, and culture materials that may contain bloodborne pathogens.
A laboratory employee accidentally splashes an unknown chemical reagent into their eyes. What is the immediate first action that should be taken?
Answer: Flush the eyes at the eyewash station with water for at least 15 minutes
Immediate, continuous flushing of the eyes with water for a minimum of 15 minutes at an eyewash station is the correct first response to a chemical eye splash. Delaying action to consult an SDS or await instructions can worsen injury.
Which type of fire extinguisher is appropriate for a Class B fire involving flammable liquids such as ethanol or acetone in a laboratory?
Answer: Class ABC dry chemical or Class BC carbon dioxide extinguisher
Class B fires involve flammable liquids. A Class ABC dry chemical extinguisher or a Class BC carbon dioxide (CO₂) extinguisher are appropriate for these fires. A water extinguisher (Class A) can spread flammable liquids, and a Class D extinguisher is reserved for combustible metals.
In a clinical laboratory, the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) requires that chemical containers be labeled with which standardized pictogram to indicate an acute toxic hazard?
Answer: Skull and crossbones
Under the GHS (adopted by OSHA as the Hazard Communication Standard), the skull and crossbones pictogram indicates acute toxicity (Categories 1–3), warning of substances that are fatal or toxic in small quantities. The exclamation mark is used for lower-level hazards such as skin or eye irritants.
A laboratory technician prepares to centrifuge a sample and notices a small crack in the centrifuge tube. What is the correct action?
Answer: Replace the cracked tube with an intact tube before centrifuging
A cracked centrifuge tube must be discarded and replaced before use. Centrifugation generates enormous mechanical forces; a cracked tube can shatter, creating an aerosol of potentially infectious or hazardous material and damaging the centrifuge rotor.
Under OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard, employees who work with hazardous chemicals must receive training on SDS interpretation and proper chemical handling. How frequently must this training be repeated when a new chemical hazard is introduced to the workplace?
Answer: Before the employee works with or is potentially exposed to the new hazardous chemical
OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) requires that employees receive training before they work with or are potentially exposed to any new chemical hazard introduced to the workplace. Waiting up to 30 days or limiting training to initial hire would leave employees unprotected.