Phlebotomy Test Safety and Infection Control 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which hepatitis virus is primarily transmitted through the fecal-oral route and poses the least occupational risk to phlebotomists?
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Hepatitis D
- Hepatitis A (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is transmitted via the fecal-oral route, not blood, so it poses minimal occupational risk during routine phlebotomy.
Question 2: What is the purpose of a biohazard label on a specimen bag?
- To indicate the specimen requires refrigeration
- To warn handlers that the contents may contain infectious material (Correct answer)
- To identify the ordering physician
- To indicate the specimen is for STAT processing
Correct answer: To warn handlers that the contents may contain infectious material
Biohazard labels warn all personnel who handle the bag that the contents may be infectious and that PPE should be used.
Question 3: Which of the following is considered a 'reservoir' in the chain of infection?
- A susceptible host
- A needle used for venipuncture
- An infected patient's bloodstream (Correct answer)
- The phlebotomist's ungloved hands
Correct answer: An infected patient's bloodstream
A reservoir is the habitat where a pathogen lives and multiplies; an infected patient's bloodstream serves as a reservoir for blood-borne pathogens.
Question 4: What is the minimum number of patient identifiers required by The Joint Commission before performing a blood draw?
- One
- Two (Correct answer)
- Three
- Four
Correct answer: Two
The Joint Commission requires at least two patient identifiers (e.g., name and date of birth) to ensure accurate specimen labeling and patient safety.
Question 5: Which class of fire extinguisher should be used on an electrical fire in the phlebotomy lab?
- Class A
- Class B
- Class C (Correct answer)
- Class D
Correct answer: Class C
Class C extinguishers are designed for electrical fires and use non-conductive agents that will not worsen the hazard.
Question 6: When a blood culture is ordered, the skin must be disinfected with 70% isopropyl alcohol followed by which agent to achieve the highest level of antisepsis?
- Povidone-iodine or chlorhexidine gluconate (Correct answer)
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Benzalkonium chloride
- Saline solution
Correct answer: Povidone-iodine or chlorhexidine gluconate
Blood culture sites require a two-step prep using alcohol followed by povidone-iodine or chlorhexidine to reduce skin flora and minimize contamination.
Question 7: If a phlebotomist's eye is splashed with blood, which action should be taken immediately?
- Apply an antibiotic eye drop
- Flush the eye with clean water or saline for 15 minutes (Correct answer)
- Pat the eye dry with a sterile gauze pad
- Close the eye tightly and report to occupational health
Correct answer: Flush the eye with clean water or saline for 15 minutes
Immediate and prolonged flushing of the eye with water or saline for at least 15 minutes is the first response to a mucous membrane blood splash.
Phlebotomy Test Safety and Infection Control 3
Which hepatitis virus is primarily transmitted through the fecal-oral route and poses the least occupational risk to phlebotomists?