Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) Training

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Explain how the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard aims to protect employees in the workplace.

It mandates training, engineering controls, work practice controls, PPE use, and establishes procedures for exposure incidents to minimize risks.

Describe the difference between engineering controls and work practice controls in preventing exposure to bloodborne pathogens, providing specific examples of each.

Engineering controls are physical items like sharps containers, while work practice controls are safe behaviors, such as proper hand hygiene.

If an employee experiences a needlestick injury, outline the immediate steps they should take and the subsequent actions required by their employer according to OSHA guidelines.

Employee washes the area, seeks medical attention and reports to supervisor. Employer documents the source, offers testing, and arranges medical care.

Differentiate between high-risk and low-risk body fluids in the context of bloodborne pathogen transmission, providing examples of each and explaining why the distinction is important.

High-risk fluids like amniotic fluid pose a direct transmission risk, while low-risk fluids like nasal secretions have lower potential for transmission. Signup and view all the answers

Explain why an individual could still be contagious even if they are not showing symptoms of HIV.

HIV can lay dormant for many years, and the infected individual can still transmit the virus even without showing symptoms. Signup and view all the answers

You splashed blood into your eyes and you do not know the bloods origin. What is the immediate action that you should take? What is the next action? Explain.

The first action is to flush with water or saline. The next action is to seek medical attention and inform your supervisor. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the standard precautions that should be observed when handling all blood and body fluids, and explain why these precautions are necessary in healthcare settings.

Standard precautions include hand hygiene, PPE use, and safe handling of sharps. These are needed because all fluids may contain transmissible diseases. Signup and view all the answers

Discuss the significance of annual bloodborne pathogen training for employees, and outline the key topics that should be covered during these training sessions.

Annual training reinforces knowledge, covers pathogen infections, transmission, and prevention. It also reviews exposure procedures. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how a 'titer' is used to determine immunity to Hepatitis B, and then describe the steps someone should take if they are not immune after completing the vaccine series.

A titer measures blood antibody levels. If not immune after the series, revaccination and further testing may be needed. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of TB prevention, discuss the role of work practice controls such as using HEPA filters and negative-pressure rooms, and explain how they help to minimize the risk of transmission.

HEPA filters remove TB bacteria from air, while negative-pressure rooms prevent airborne spread to other areas of the facility. Signup and view all the answers

How would you differentiate between HIV and AIDS? Explain the relationship between the two.

HIV is the virus that attacks the immune system; AIDS is the syndrome that develops when HIV has severely damaged the immune system. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the purpose of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), and identify the populations who might benefit from receiving it.

PrEP is used to prevent HIV infection in high-risk individuals, such as those with HIV-positive partners or those engaging in high-risk activities. Signup and view all the answers

Explain why there are requirements for regular TB testing for healthcare workers, even though TB primarily affects the lungs.

Healthcare workers are at higher risk of exposure, plus TB can spread to other organs, making regular testing essential for early detection. Signup and view all the answers

Outline the information that an employee must document following an exposure incident to blood or OPIM according to OSHA guidelines.

The employee must document the date/time, controls/PPE used, job classification, procedure performed, worksite, training, and work practices followed. Signup and view all the answers

Name some symptoms common among Hepatitis infections and then explain why not all

Common symptoms include abdominal pain, fatigue, jaundice, nausea, and loss of appetite. Not all infected individuals are symptomatic, due to varying immune responses. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the key components that must be included in an Exposure Control Plan to meet the requirements of the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.

The plan should identify those needing training, list engineering and work practice controls, mandate precautions, state PPE, and outline exposure procedures. Signup and view all the answers

You're creating your company's Exposure Control Plan. What are some key things you should include? How often should it be reviewed?

Identify individuals who need BBP training, engineering and work practice controls, mandatory standard precautions, required PPE, and exposure procedures. It should be reviewed annually. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to know if organisms were present during a blood/OPIM exposure? What other exposure factors are important to consider?

Presence of organisms dictates infection risk. Other key factors are the extent of organisms (viral load), type of exposure, and employee health. Signup and view all the answers

Explain why HBV has a vaccine, yet HIV does not. What makes it difficult to make a vaccine for HIV?

HBV is a DNA virus that has a predictable, stable structure. HIV is an RNA virus that mutates quickly, making it hard to find a vaccine. Signup and view all the answers

A patient states they were vaccinated against HBV at birth, and they want to decline further measures. What test can you perform to prove they are immune?

A titer can be performed. It measures the blood antibody levels to determine immunity. Signup and view all the answers

If an employee is exposed to a bloodborne pathogen, what are the employer's responsibilities regarding testing and medical care?

The employer must identify and document the source, get consent to test the source, offer testing to the employee, and arrange medical care. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the difference between standard precautions and transmission-based precautions in healthcare settings.

Standard precautions apply to all patients, while transmission-based precautions are for known or suspected infections. Signup and view all the answers

Explain why Hepatitis C is more likely to become chronic compared to Hepatitis B and briefly outline a reason why

Hepatitis C is more likely to become chronic because the body mounts a weaker immune response and there is a higher mutation rate. Signup and view all the answers

How is Tuberculosis (TB) spread and name one work practice control to decrease the risk of transmission?

TB is spread through airborne droplets. A work practice control is to use masks. Signup and view all the answers

Can employers charge employees for PPEs needed on the job? Explain.

No, employers cannot charge employees for PPEs. They are responsible for providing necessary protective equipment. Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Bloodborne Pathogens (BBPs)

Infectious microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria, or parasites, present in blood and high-risk body fluids.

How BBPs are transmitted?

Exposure to infected blood or Other Potentially Infectious Materials (OPIM).