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What is a key requirement for sharps containers?
What is a key requirement for sharps containers?
Where should sharps containers be located?
Where should sharps containers be located?
What should be clearly visible on sharps containers?
What should be clearly visible on sharps containers?
What is a key aspect of OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard?
What is a key aspect of OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard?
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What should be done with used strips, plastic blood tubes, and gauze?
What should be done with used strips, plastic blood tubes, and gauze?
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Why should sharp items not be placed in biohazard bags?
Why should sharp items not be placed in biohazard bags?
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What is a key goal of NIOSH guidelines and regulations?
What is a key goal of NIOSH guidelines and regulations?
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What should be done with sharps containers when not in use?
What should be done with sharps containers when not in use?
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What should phlebotomists consider when handling body fluids?
What should phlebotomists consider when handling body fluids?
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What is the purpose of transmission-based precautions?
What is the purpose of transmission-based precautions?
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What is essential for all patient encounters?
What is essential for all patient encounters?
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What should phlebotomists review regularly?
What should phlebotomists review regularly?
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What should phlebotomists know the location of?
What should phlebotomists know the location of?
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What is the primary concern of phlebotomists?
What is the primary concern of phlebotomists?
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Why are standard precautions necessary?
Why are standard precautions necessary?
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What should phlebotomists consider as a possible source of infection?
What should phlebotomists consider as a possible source of infection?
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What is the first step to take in case of an accidental needlestick?
What is the first step to take in case of an accidental needlestick?
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What is the purpose of an exposure-control plan?
What is the purpose of an exposure-control plan?
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What is the recommended action to take after an accidental exposure to blood or body fluids?
What is the recommended action to take after an accidental exposure to blood or body fluids?
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What is the purpose of annual bloodborne pathogen training for employees?
What is the purpose of annual bloodborne pathogen training for employees?
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What should employees do to reduce accidental exposures?
What should employees do to reduce accidental exposures?
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What should be done with used needles after use?
What should be done with used needles after use?
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What should an employee do after notifying the supervisor of an accidental exposure?
What should an employee do after notifying the supervisor of an accidental exposure?
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Why is it important for employees to inform their employers about hazards from needles in the work environment?
Why is it important for employees to inform their employers about hazards from needles in the work environment?
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What is the primary purpose of the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard?
What is the primary purpose of the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard?
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What is an example of a sharp that can potentially transmit disease?
What is an example of a sharp that can potentially transmit disease?
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What should be done with sharps immediately after blood collection?
What should be done with sharps immediately after blood collection?
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What is the name of the federal agency that updates regulations for workplace safety annually?
What is the name of the federal agency that updates regulations for workplace safety annually?
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Why does NIOSH stress the importance of four criteria for sharps containers?
Why does NIOSH stress the importance of four criteria for sharps containers?
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What is an example of a criterion for sharps containers identified by NIOSH?
What is an example of a criterion for sharps containers identified by NIOSH?
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What is the primary reason for using safety devices on sharps immediately after blood collection?
What is the primary reason for using safety devices on sharps immediately after blood collection?
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What is the purpose of the four criteria for sharps containers identified by NIOSH?
What is the purpose of the four criteria for sharps containers identified by NIOSH?
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What should you do immediately if any items drop to the floor?
What should you do immediately if any items drop to the floor?
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Why should you avoid retouching the prepared site even while wearing gloves?
Why should you avoid retouching the prepared site even while wearing gloves?
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What should you use to soak up blood spills?
What should you use to soak up blood spills?
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When is hand hygiene particularly important?
When is hand hygiene particularly important?
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Why should you avoid touching possibly contaminated surfaces?
Why should you avoid touching possibly contaminated surfaces?
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What should you do with contaminated material after cleaning up a spill?
What should you do with contaminated material after cleaning up a spill?
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What should you do before washing your hands?
What should you do before washing your hands?
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What should you ensure when washing your hands?
What should you ensure when washing your hands?
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Facilities must provide employees with hepatitis B immunizations as part of their exposure-control plan.
Facilities must provide employees with hepatitis B immunizations as part of their exposure-control plan.
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You should remove the tip of the glove to palpate for a vein during a venipuncture.
You should remove the tip of the glove to palpate for a vein during a venipuncture.
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Employees must decontaminate the puncture site with soap and water only after an accidental needlestick.
Employees must decontaminate the puncture site with soap and water only after an accidental needlestick.
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OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard recommends that employees participate in annual bloodborne pathogen training.
OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard recommends that employees participate in annual bloodborne pathogen training.
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Latex gloves are recommended for handling body fluids.
Latex gloves are recommended for handling body fluids.
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You should wear gloves only when handling specimen containers.
You should wear gloves only when handling specimen containers.
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Sharps containers should be placed in areas where they are not easily accessible to employees.
Sharps containers should be placed in areas where they are not easily accessible to employees.
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You should wear goggles or safety glasses when aliquoting blood specimens.
You should wear goggles or safety glasses when aliquoting blood specimens.
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Employees should report all needlestick and other sharps-related injuries to their supervisor immediately.
Employees should report all needlestick and other sharps-related injuries to their supervisor immediately.
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You should inspect your gloves only after performing procedures.
You should inspect your gloves only after performing procedures.
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Exposure control plans are only required for high-risk employees who handle bloodborne pathogens.
Exposure control plans are only required for high-risk employees who handle bloodborne pathogens.
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You should remove gloves by pulling them off with your bare hands.
You should remove gloves by pulling them off with your bare hands.
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Gauze pads are the most effective material to soak up large blood spills.
Gauze pads are the most effective material to soak up large blood spills.
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In the absence of prepared solutions, a 1:1 mixture of sodium hypochlorite to water is recommended for cleaning blood spills.
In the absence of prepared solutions, a 1:1 mixture of sodium hypochlorite to water is recommended for cleaning blood spills.
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It is not necessary to wear gloves when cleaning up a blood spill.
It is not necessary to wear gloves when cleaning up a blood spill.
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Facilities usually do not have prepared solutions available for blood-spill cleanups.
Facilities usually do not have prepared solutions available for blood-spill cleanups.
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Hand hygiene is only important after contact with bodily fluids.
Hand hygiene is only important after contact with bodily fluids.
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It is recommended to wash your hands after cleaning up a blood spill, but it's not necessary to wear gloves during the cleanup.
It is recommended to wash your hands after cleaning up a blood spill, but it's not necessary to wear gloves during the cleanup.
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It's acceptable to retouch the prepared site while wearing gloves.
It's acceptable to retouch the prepared site while wearing gloves.
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In the event of a large blood spill, goggles and a face mask are not necessary.
In the event of a large blood spill, goggles and a face mask are not necessary.
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Study Notes
Sharps and Biohazards
- Sharps are items that can easily break skin and potentially transmit disease, including venipuncture needles, double-sided needles, lancets, and microscope slides.
- Use safety devices on sharps immediately after blood collection and dispose of them in a sharps container.
- NIOSH identifies incorrect sharps disposal as a significant cause of sharps injuries in the workplace.
Sharps Containers
- Sharps containers must be:
- Leak- and puncture-resistant
- Durable for transport
- Of appropriate size and shape
- Have a secure closure that protects against exposure during closing
- Containers must be upright, easy to operate, and within easy reach, with the fill level and biohazard symbol clearly visible.
Handling Sharps Containers
- Close containers after each use, during transport, and when not in use.
- Dispose of used strips, plastic blood tubes, gauze, and other non-sharp items contaminated with blood in a biohazard bag.
Transmission-Based Precautions
- Follow basic standard precautions when handling potentially infectious materials.
- Consider all body fluids from all patients as infectious and use standard precautions when handling and treating them.
- Transmission-based precautions vary with the means of transmission (droplet, contact, airborne).
Exposure Control Plans
- Each facility must have an exposure-control plan in place that includes the level of risk, precautions to take, and steps to take after accidental exposure.
- Employees must participate in annual bloodborne pathogen training and implement infection-control practices.
Accidental Exposure
- If an accidental exposure occurs, remain calm and follow correct steps to minimize the effect.
- For an accidental needlestick, decontaminate the puncture site with an antiseptic or soap and water, and notify the immediate supervisor.
- Document the incident in the sharps injury log and on the facility's incident report form.
Hand Hygiene
- Hand hygiene is the most effective means of preventing infection.
- Perform hand hygiene when entering or leaving work areas; after contact with any bodily fluid; and before and after patient procedures, eating, and using the restroom.
Standard Precautions regarding PPE
- Wear gloves when handling body fluids, and replace them between each patient encounter and when performing different procedures for the same patient.
- Wear gloves when handling specimen containers, such as vacuum tubes or urine collection containers.
- Ensure gloves are nitrile or vinyl, fit properly, and are free of holes or rips.
- Wear gloves during venipuncture, dermal puncture, and procedures that involve interaction with body fluids.
- Take specific measures to avoid personal contamination when removing gloves.
- Wear eye protection, such as goggles or safety glasses, when aliquoting blood specimens.
- Dispose of used needles promptly in appropriate sharps disposal containers.
Exposure Control Plans
- Each facility must have an exposure-control plan in place that includes the level of risk for each employee, precautions to take, and actions to follow after an accidental exposure.
- Employees must participate in annual bloodborne pathogen training to prevent accidental exposure.
- Implement infection-control practices, use safeties on devices, and properly dispose of potentially infectious material to reduce accidental exposures.
- Obtain hepatitis B immunizations and regularly review safety practices and precautions in the workplace safety manual.
Accidental Exposure Procedures
- When an accidental exposure to blood or body fluids occurs, remain calm and follow the correct steps to minimize the effect.
- Decontaminate the puncture site with an antiseptic or soap and water after a needlestick.
- Notify the immediate supervisor and document the incident in the sharps injury log and facility's incident report form.
- Have a medical examination as soon as possible after an accidental exposure.
Blood Spill Cleanup
- Discard any items that drop to the floor in a sharps container.
- Refrain from retouching the prepared site, even while wearing gloves, to prevent contamination.
- Use paper towels or other absorbent material to soak up blood, and avoid using gauze pads.
- Thoroughly disinfect the area after a blood spill, and use prepared solutions or a 1:10 mixture of sodium hypochlorite to water.
Hand Hygiene Guidelines
- Hand hygiene is the most effective means of preventing infection.
- Perform hand hygiene when entering or leaving work areas, after contact with bodily fluids, and before and after patient procedures, eating, and using the restroom.
- Infection control begins by not touching contaminated surfaces, and ensuring the water is not too cold or too hot.
- Wet hands first, apply an effective soap or hand cleanser, and scrub hands vigorously, paying attention to nails, nail beds, knuckles, and the skin between the fingers.
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Description
This quiz covers the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard, focusing on sharps and biohazards that can transmit diseases. Learn to identify and handle sharps safely.
