Take the Test

1. A circulating nurse in surgery is at highest risk for exposure to a bloodborne pathogen when working with which other potentially infectious material (OPIM)?

• a. A tissue biopsy from a patient with active hepatitis B
• b. The preservative used to fix a tissue sample
• c. A cancerous tumor from a patient with breast cancer
• d. The cleaning agent used to disinfect hard surfaces in the operating room

2. The OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard requires employers to establish an exposure control plan, provide personal protective equipment, train employees, and:

• a. Implement engineering controls to reduce risk of exposure.
• b. Solicit employee input regarding the types of warning labels to be used on new products.
• c. Offer employees prescreening for hepatitis B titer before administering the vaccine.
• d. Establish a method of identifying the cost of exposure control practices.

3. Which link in the chain of infection describes the habitat where the infectious agent normally lives and grows?

• a. Vulnerable host
• b. Reservoir
• c. Portal of entry
• d. Portal of exit

4. Which is a correct statement about the hepatitis B vaccine?

• a. Employers must make screening a condition of receiving vaccination.
• b. To ensure immunity, it is important to receive all recommended injections.
• c. An employee may not take the vaccine later after initially declining it.
• d. Hepatitis B vaccine is not a good protection against the disease.

5. Which is a true statement about hepatitis C?

• a. The most common means of transmission in the United States is through injection drug use.
• b. Prior infection protects against future infection with the same or different genotype of virus.
• c. Most people with hepatitis C are well aware of their illness.
• d. Hepatitis C is the least common bloodborne disease in the United States.

6. The most effective means of protection against HIV infection for healthcare workers is:

• a. Appropriate handwashing and surface decontamination.
• b. Use of needleless devices.
• c. HIV vaccine.
• d. Adherence to Standard Precautions.

7. Which is a true statement about Standard Precautions?

• a. The use of Standard Precautions is limited to settings where exposure to blood may be expected.
• b. Before implementing Standard Precautions, it is advisable to determine if the patient is contagious.
• c. Standard Precautions are implemented regardless of the perceived status of the source individual.
• d. Engineering and work practice controls are not required if Standard Precautions are implemented.

8. Contaminated personal protective equipment should be removed in the following order:

• a. Face shield or goggles, mask or respirator, gloves, gown.
• b. Gown, gloves, face shield or goggles, mask or respirator.
• c. Gloves, gown, face shield or goggles, mask or respirator.
• d. Mask or respirator, gloves, gown, face shield or goggles.

9. Which is a correct work practice when handling sharps?

• a. Always recap needle/syringe units before disposal.
• b. Use a one-hand scoop technique if a needle must be recapped.
• c. Break or shear off needles before disposing of used sharps.
• d. Fill used sharps containers only halfway before replacing them with new containers.

10. Which are the appropriate actions to take in the event of an accidental needlestick injury?

• a. Cleanse the injury with alcohol wipes and immediately seek medical treatment.
• b. Report the incident immediately to the supervisor and then wash the injury.
• c. Wash the needlestick injury with soap and water and report the incident to the supervisor.
• d. First irrigate the injury with sterile irrigant, followed by soap and water.