MLS Emergency Procedures & Response 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A laboratory worker splashes a corrosive acid on their forearm. What is the first and most critical action to take?
- Apply a neutralizing base solution immediately
- Flush the affected area with large amounts of water for at least 15–20 minutes (Correct answer)
- Cover the burn with a sterile dressing and call EMS
- Notify the supervisor before beginning any treatment
Correct 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.
Question 2: Which OSHA standard specifically governs laboratory worker exposure to bloodborne pathogens during emergency response?
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200 (Hazard Communication)
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030 (Bloodborne Pathogens) (Correct answer)
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146 (Confined Spaces)
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132 (PPE General)
Correct 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.
Question 3: A fire breaks out in the laboratory chemical storage area. Which class of fire extinguisher is MOST appropriate for a flammable liquid fire?
- Class A
- Class B (Correct answer)
- Class C
- Class D
Correct answer: Class B
Class B extinguishers are designed for flammable liquid fires, such as those involving solvents and reagents common in laboratories.
Question 4: During a code blue near the laboratory, an MLS discovers a patient unresponsive. Per standard protocol, what should be the first action?
- Begin chest compressions immediately
- Call for help and activate the emergency response system (Correct answer)
- Retrieve the AED from the hallway
- Administer two rescue breaths
Correct 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.
Question 5: A laboratory receives a suspicious package that may contain a biological agent. What is the correct immediate response?
- Open the package under a biosafety cabinet to assess contents
- Isolate the package, evacuate the area, and contact security and local authorities (Correct answer)
- Place the package in an autoclave to neutralize any potential pathogen
- Shake the package to listen for liquid contents before deciding next steps
Correct 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.
Question 6: After an accidental needlestick exposure to HIV-positive blood, when should post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) ideally be initiated?
- Within 72 hours of exposure
- Within 24 hours of exposure
- Within 1 week of exposure
- Immediately within 2 hours, but no later than 72 hours (Correct answer)
Correct 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.
Question 7: A laboratory power outage affects the refrigerated centrifuge and specimen storage units. Which specimens should be prioritized for immediate relocation to backup cold storage?
- Urinalysis specimens and throat swabs
- Whole blood for CBC and ESR samples
- Serum and plasma samples for critical diagnostic assays (Correct answer)
- Microbiological culture plates at room temperature incubation
Correct 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.
MLS Emergency Procedures & Response 2
A laboratory worker splashes a corrosive acid on their forearm.
What is the first and most critical action to take?