NCCT Infection Control and Safety 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the minimum concentration of sodium hypochlorite (bleach) recommended for cleaning blood spills?
- 0.5% (1:100 dilution)
- 1.0% (1:50 dilution)
- 10% (1:10 dilution) (Correct answer)
- 50% (1:2 dilution)
Correct answer: 10% (1:10 dilution)
A 10% bleach solution (1:10 dilution of household bleach) is the standard recommendation for decontaminating blood spills.
OSHA and CDC recommend a 10% solution of sodium hypochlorite (1 part household bleach to 9 parts water) for decontaminating surfaces contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious materials. This concentration effectively inactivates HIV, HBV, HCV, and other bloodborne pathogens. The solution must be freshly prepared (within 24 hours) as sodium hypochlorite degrades over time.
Question 2: Which type of precautions should be followed when drawing blood from ALL patients regardless of diagnosis?
- Contact precautions
- Droplet precautions
- Standard precautions (Correct answer)
- Airborne precautions
Correct answer: Standard precautions
Standard precautions apply to all patients regardless of known or suspected infection status, treating all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious.
Standard precautions (formerly universal precautions) are the foundation of infection control and apply to every patient encounter, regardless of diagnosis or perceived infection risk. They include hand hygiene, use of PPE (gloves, gowns, masks as needed), safe injection practices, proper sharps disposal, and respiratory hygiene.
Question 3: After a needlestick injury, what is the immediate first step?
- Fill out an incident report
- Wash the site with soap and water (Correct answer)
- Apply a tourniquet above the wound
- Report to the supervisor
Correct answer: Wash the site with soap and water
The immediate first step after a needlestick is to wash the puncture site thoroughly with soap and running water to reduce the risk of infection.
The immediate response to a needlestick injury is to wash the wound thoroughly with soap and running water for several minutes. If the exposure involves mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth), flush with clean water or saline. Do not squeeze the wound or apply bleach, as these actions may increase tissue damage and pathogen absorption.
Question 4: Which class of fire extinguisher should be used for an electrical equipment fire in the laboratory?
- Class A
- Class B
- Class C (Correct answer)
- Class D
Correct answer: Class C
Class C fire extinguishers are designed for electrical fires and use non-conductive agents to extinguish flames without creating an electrocution hazard.
Fire extinguisher classes are designated by the type of fuel: Class A (ordinary combustibles like paper, wood), Class B (flammable liquids), Class C (electrical equipment), and Class D (combustible metals). Electrical fires require Class C extinguishers that use CO2 or dry chemical agents, which are non-conductive.
Question 5: What does the acronym RACE stand for in fire safety?
- Remove, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish
- Rescue, Activate, Confine, Evacuate
- Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish/Evacuate (Correct answer)
- Remove, Alert, Close, Escape
Correct answer: Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish/Evacuate
RACE stands for Rescue (anyone in immediate danger), Alarm (pull the fire alarm), Contain (close doors to contain the fire), and Extinguish/Evacuate.
RACE is the standard fire response protocol in healthcare facilities. Rescue: remove patients or personnel in immediate danger from the fire area. Alarm: activate the nearest fire alarm pull station and call the emergency number. Contain: close all doors and windows to limit fire spread and smoke. Extinguish/Evacuate: if the fire is small and you are trained, use an extinguisher; otherwise, evacuate the area.
Question 6: How long should a phlebotomist perform hand hygiene with an alcohol-based hand rub?
- 5 seconds
- At least 15-20 seconds until hands are dry (Correct answer)
- Exactly 30 seconds, then rinse
- 1 minute with continuous rubbing
Correct answer: At least 15-20 seconds until hands are dry
Alcohol-based hand rubs should be applied and rubbed over all surfaces of the hands for 15-20 seconds until the product has completely dried.
Alcohol-based hand rubs (60-95% alcohol) are the preferred method of hand hygiene in healthcare settings when hands are not visibly soiled. The proper technique involves applying a palmful of product, rubbing all surfaces (palms, backs, between fingers, fingertips, thumbs) for 15-20 seconds until completely dry.
NCCT Infection Control and Safety 2
What is the minimum concentration of sodium hypochlorite (bleach) recommended for cleaning blood spills?