Emergency Procedures & Response Flashcards
7 cards from real MLS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Emergency Procedures & Response flashcards as text
A laboratory worker splashes a corrosive acid on their forearm. What is the first and most critical action to take?
Answer: Flush the affected area with large amounts of water for at least 15–20 minutes
Immediate and prolonged water flushing dilutes and removes the corrosive agent, minimizing tissue damage.
Which OSHA standard specifically governs laboratory worker exposure to bloodborne pathogens during emergency response?
Answer: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030 (Bloodborne Pathogens)
29 CFR 1910.1030 (Bloodborne Pathogens Standard) mandates exposure control plans and post-exposure procedures for laboratory settings.
A fire breaks out in the laboratory chemical storage area. Which class of fire extinguisher is MOST appropriate for a flammable liquid fire?
Answer: Class B
Class B extinguishers are designed for flammable liquid fires, such as those involving solvents and reagents common in laboratories.
During a code blue near the laboratory, an MLS discovers a patient unresponsive. Per standard protocol, what should be the first action?
Answer: Call for help and activate the emergency response system
Activating the emergency response system ensures trained personnel and resources respond, which is the priority before solo intervention.
A laboratory receives a suspicious package that may contain a biological agent. What is the correct immediate response?
Answer: Isolate the package, evacuate the area, and contact security and local authorities
Isolation and evacuation limit potential exposure while authorities trained in hazmat response assess and manage the threat.
After an accidental needlestick exposure to HIV-positive blood, when should post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) ideally be initiated?
Answer: Immediately within 2 hours, but no later than 72 hours
PEP is most effective when started within 2 hours; it must be initiated no later than 72 hours after exposure to be beneficial.
A laboratory power outage affects the refrigerated centrifuge and specimen storage units. Which specimens should be prioritized for immediate relocation to backup cold storage?
Answer: Serum and plasma samples for critical diagnostic assays
Serum and plasma specimens containing labile analytes (hormones, enzymes, coagulation factors) degrade rapidly without proper refrigeration and are highest priority.