Infection Control and Safety Flashcards

What does OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) require employers to provide to at-risk healthcare workers?

Answer: Hepatitis B vaccination at no cost, along with PPE and annual training

OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard mandates that employers offer hepatitis B vaccination free of charge, provide appropriate PPE at no cost, and conduct annual bloodborne pathogen training for all at-risk employees.

Which color-coded waste bag is used for infectious/biohazardous waste in U.S. healthcare facilities?

Answer: Red or orange

Red or orange bags labeled with the biohazard symbol are used for infectious/regulated medical waste such as blood-soaked materials, cultures, and pathological specimens.

A patient diagnosed with MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) skin infection should be placed on which isolation precaution?

Answer: Contact precautions with gloves and gown

MRSA is primarily transmitted via direct or indirect contact; contact precautions (gown and gloves upon room entry) are required to prevent spread of this drug-resistant organism.

What is the correct order for doffing (removing) PPE after leaving an isolation room?

Answer: Gloves, gown, eye protection, mask/respirator

PPE is removed in the order gloves, gown, eye protection, then mask last — this sequence keeps the most contaminated items (gloves/gown) removed first while the cleaner mask protects against facial contamination until the end.

Which class of microorganism is most resistant to standard chemical disinfectants and requires sterilization to eliminate?

Answer: Bacterial endospores such as those from Bacillus and Clostridium species

Bacterial endospores (produced by organisms like Bacillus anthracis and C. difficile) are the most resistant microbial structures to disinfectants and require sterilization methods such as autoclaving or sporicidal chemicals.

Which of the following best describes 'medical asepsis' in healthcare practice?

Answer: Practices that reduce the number and spread of pathogens to prevent infection

Medical asepsis (clean technique) refers to practices such as hand hygiene, proper waste disposal, and environmental cleaning that reduce pathogen numbers and prevent their spread, as opposed to surgical asepsis which aims for complete elimination.

When disposing of a full sharps container in a healthcare facility, what is the correct procedure?

Answer: Seal the container when it reaches the fill line and place in regulated medical waste for disposal

Sharps containers must be sealed when filled to the indicated fill line (typically three-quarters full) and then disposed of as regulated medical waste — they should never be overfilled, opened, or emptied.