OTC Orthopaedic Technologist Certified Infection Control and Safety 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Ergonomic best practices for an orthopaedic technologist applying a long leg cast include:
- Keeping the patient's limb higher than the technologist's waist throughout
- Positioning the work surface at a height that minimizes bending and reaching (Correct answer)
- Twisting the torso to maintain patient eye contact
- Standing on one foot to increase stability
Correct answer: Positioning the work surface at a height that minimizes bending and reaching
Adjusting the work surface height to minimize bending and awkward postures reduces the risk of musculoskeletal injuries for the technologist.
Question 2: The RACE acronym used in fire safety stands for:
- Remove, Activate, Contain, Extinguish
- Run, Alert, Call, Evacuate
- Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish/Evacuate (Correct answer)
- Report, Assess, Control, Exit
Correct answer: Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish/Evacuate
RACE stands for Rescue patients in danger, Alarm by activating the fire alarm, Confine the fire by closing doors, and Extinguish/Evacuate as appropriate.
Question 3: Which of the following orthopedic devices requires sterilization (rather than high-level disinfection) before use?
- Reusable blood pressure cuff
- Traction splint used on intact skin
- Intramedullary nail implanted surgically (Correct answer)
- Fiberglass casting roll
Correct answer: Intramedullary nail implanted surgically
Implantable devices like intramedullary nails are classified as critical by the Spaulding system and must be sterile because they contact sterile body tissue.
Question 4: Occupational exposure to latex is a concern in orthopaedic settings because repeated exposure can lead to:
- Delayed-onset osteoporosis
- Type I (IgE-mediated) latex allergy that can cause anaphylaxis (Correct answer)
- Contact dermatitis only, with no systemic risk
- Bloodborne pathogen transmission
Correct answer: Type I (IgE-mediated) latex allergy that can cause anaphylaxis
Repeated latex exposure can sensitize individuals, leading to a Type I IgE-mediated hypersensitivity that may progress to anaphylaxis.
Question 5: To prevent transmission of infection when positioning a trauma patient for imaging, the orthopaedic technologist should:
- Remove gloves before touching imaging equipment to avoid contaminating it
- Wear gloves and change them between touching the patient and shared equipment (Correct answer)
- Use the same gloves throughout to maintain consistent protection
- Delay imaging until the patient has been bathed
Correct answer: Wear gloves and change them between touching the patient and shared equipment
Changing gloves or performing hand hygiene between patient contact and shared equipment prevents cross-contamination of environmental surfaces.
Question 6: The OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom) requires that all employees handling hazardous chemicals receive training:
- Only at the time of initial hire
- At hire and whenever a new hazardous chemical is introduced to the workplace (Correct answer)
- Only after a chemical exposure incident occurs
- Every five years regardless of workplace changes
Correct answer: At hire and whenever a new hazardous chemical is introduced to the workplace
HazCom mandates training at initial assignment and whenever new hazardous chemicals are introduced to ensure employees understand current workplace hazards.
Question 7: Which method of hand hygiene is preferred when hands are visibly soiled with blood or body fluids?
- Alcohol-based hand rub applied until dry
- Soap and water handwashing for at least 20 seconds (Correct answer)
- Antiseptic towelette followed by hand rub
- Surgical scrub technique using a brush
Correct answer: Soap and water handwashing for at least 20 seconds
Visibly soiled hands must be washed with soap and water because alcohol-based hand rubs do not mechanically remove organic material.
OTC Orthopaedic Technologist Certified Infection Control and Safety 4
Ergonomic best practices for an orthopaedic technologist applying a long leg cast include: