PCT OSHA and Infection Control 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Standard Precautions should be used when caring for:
- Only patients with known infectious diseases
- Only patients in isolation rooms
- All patients regardless of their diagnosis (Correct answer)
- Only immunocompromised patients
Correct answer: All patients regardless of their diagnosis
Standard Precautions apply to all patients because any person may carry transmissible organisms without showing symptoms.
Standard Precautions (formerly Universal Precautions) treat all blood, body fluids, non-intact skin, and mucous membranes as potentially infectious. They apply to every patient encounter regardless of known infection status. This includes hand hygiene, appropriate PPE, safe injection practices, respiratory hygiene, and proper handling of contaminated equipment.
Question 2: Which PPE should be removed FIRST when doffing (removing) personal protective equipment?
- Face shield or goggles
- Gown
- Gloves (Correct answer)
- Mask or respirator
Correct answer: Gloves
Gloves are removed first because they are the most contaminated item and removing them first prevents transferring pathogens to other PPE or skin during removal.
The CDC-recommended doffing sequence is: gloves first (most contaminated, use glove-in-glove technique), then gown (unfasten and roll away from body), then eye protection (handle by strap/earpiece), and mask last (remove by ear loops/ties, never touch the front). Hand hygiene is performed after removing gloves and again after all PPE is removed.
Question 3: A sharps container should be replaced when it reaches what fill level?
- Completely full
- Three-quarters (3/4) full (Correct answer)
- Half full
- One-quarter full
Correct answer: Three-quarters (3/4) full
Sharps containers should be replaced when three-quarters full to prevent overfilling, which increases the risk of needlestick injuries.
OSHA regulations require sharps containers to be replaced when they reach the fill line, typically at three-quarters capacity. Overfilled containers cause needles and blades to protrude from the opening, creating needlestick hazards. Containers should be closable, puncture-resistant, leak-proof, and labeled with the biohazard symbol. Never reach into a sharps container.
Question 4: Which type of isolation requires the PCT to wear an N95 respirator?
- Contact precautions
- Droplet precautions
- Airborne precautions (Correct answer)
- Standard precautions only
Correct answer: Airborne precautions
Airborne precautions require N95 respirators because airborne pathogens (like TB and measles) travel on tiny particles that regular surgical masks cannot filter.
Airborne precautions are used for diseases transmitted via aerosolized particles (<5 microns) that remain suspended in air for extended periods: tuberculosis, measles, varicella (chickenpox), and disseminated herpes zoster. An N95 respirator filters at least 95% of airborne particles. The patient requires a negative-pressure isolation room, and the PCT must be fit-tested for the N95.
Question 5: The single MOST effective method to prevent healthcare-associated infections is:
- Wearing gloves for all patient contact
- Proper hand hygiene (Correct answer)
- Administering prophylactic antibiotics
- Using UV light to sterilize rooms
Correct answer: Proper hand hygiene
Consistent hand hygiene before and after patient contact is the most effective proven method to break the chain of infection transmission.
The CDC identifies hand hygiene as the single most important measure to prevent healthcare-associated infections. Hands should be washed or sanitized before patient contact, before aseptic procedures, after body fluid exposure, after patient contact, and after touching patient surroundings (the WHO '5 Moments'). Alcohol-based hand rub is preferred unless hands are visibly soiled.
Question 6: Bloodborne Pathogen Standard requires employers to provide which of the following to at-risk employees?
- Free vacation days after exposure incidents
- Hepatitis B vaccination at no cost (Correct answer)
- Automatic raises for working with infectious patients
- Personal health insurance upgrades
Correct answer: Hepatitis B vaccination at no cost
OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard mandates that employers offer the hepatitis B vaccine free of charge to employees with occupational exposure to blood.
OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) requires employers to offer the hepatitis B vaccine series free of charge within 10 days of employment for at-risk workers. Employees may decline but must sign a declination form. The standard also requires exposure control plans, PPE provision, training, post-exposure evaluation, and recordkeeping.
PCT OSHA and Infection Control 2
Standard Precautions should be used when caring for: