Practice Test Geeks(MLS) Medical Laboratory Scientist Practice Test
← All MLS Flashcard Decks

Safety & Infection Control 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 Safety & Infection Control flashcards as text

  1. Which of the following is a TRUE statement regarding the use of UV germicidal lamps in biosafety cabinets?

    Answer: UV lamps are supplemental and must never be used as the sole decontamination method

    UV lamps are supplemental to chemical surface disinfection because UV does not penetrate organic matter and has limited efficacy for surface bioburden.

  2. A laboratory scientist is working with a patient specimen that may contain Coccidioides immitis. Which containment practice is MOST critical?

    Answer: Perform all manipulations in a Class II BSC to prevent aerosol exposure

    Coccidioides immitis is a BSL-3 fungal pathogen; all manipulations must be performed in a Class II BSC to contain highly infectious airborne arthroconidia.

  3. Which of the following infectious waste categories requires incineration or steam sterilization before disposal in a sanitary landfill?

    Answer: Pathological waste including tissues and body parts

    Pathological waste (tissues, body parts, blood) must be treated by incineration or autoclaving before landfill disposal per state and federal regulations.

  4. The hierarchy of controls lists which type of control as MOST effective for reducing laboratory hazards?

    Answer: Elimination or substitution

    Elimination or substitution is at the top of the hierarchy of controls because it removes or replaces the hazard entirely rather than managing exposure to it.

  5. During centrifugation of a specimen, the tube cracks and leaks inside a sealed centrifuge bucket. The correct procedure is to:

    Answer: Allow aerosols to settle for 30 minutes, then open in the BSC with full PPE

    A 30-minute wait allows infectious aerosols to settle; the bucket should then be opened inside a BSC with full PPE and the contents decontaminated.

  6. Which type of isolation precaution is indicated for a patient with active pulmonary tuberculosis admitted to the hospital?

    Answer: Airborne precautions

    Pulmonary TB requires airborne precautions including a negative-pressure room and N95 respirators for all entering personnel.

  7. Which of the following is the CORRECT order for doffing (removing) PPE to minimize self-contamination?

    Answer: Gloves → gown → face shield/goggles → mask → hand hygiene

    CDC guidance specifies removing gloves first (most contaminated), then gown, then face protection, and finally the mask, followed by hand hygiene after each step.