Infection Control Principles Quiz

Questions and Answers

What is a characteristic of porous items in a salon setting?

They cannot be properly cleaned to remove all residue. (correct)

They absorb water completely.

They can be easily disinfected.

They are always disposable.

Which of the following is considered an antiseptic?

Rubbing alcohol

Hydrogen peroxide

Sodium chloride

Witch hazel (correct)

What is the primary limitation of waterless hand sanitizers?

They can wash away dirt.

They eliminate all types of microbes.

They solely reduce microbial numbers and do not clean debris. (correct)

They require water to be effective.

What is the recommended minimum time for effective hand washing?

20 seconds Signup and view all the answers

What type of cleaning product is specifically mentioned for removing stubborn residue from pedicure products?

Chelating soaps Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant concern regarding the Whirlpool foot spa?

It can harbor disease-causing germs that are hard to eliminate. Signup and view all the answers

What do Standard Precautions require individuals in the salon to assume about blood and body fluids?

They are always infectious. Signup and view all the answers

When are nitrile gloves recommended for use in the salon?

If there is a latex allergy. Signup and view all the answers

What should be done with disposable contaminated objects after an exposure incident?

They must be placed in a plastic bag and then a closed trash container. Signup and view all the answers

What is defined as an exposure incident in a salon environment?

Contact with non-intact skin or infectious materials. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Infection Control Principles

Infection control refers to methods eliminating or reducing the transmission of infectious organisms.
Standard precautions protect both practitioners and clients from potential infections.
Safe work practices and safety precautions must be demonstrated in all settings.

Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting

Cleaning: A mechanical process using soap and water to remove visible dirt and germs while also addressing invisible debris.
Sanitizing: A chemical process to reduce disease-causing germs on cleaned surfaces to safe levels. Important for both surfaces and skin cleaning.
Disinfection: Destroys harmful organisms on surfaces using specific chemical products. Required in salons in all states.
Types of Germs Killed by Disinfectants: Bacteria, viruses, and fungi; however, disinfectants do not kill bacterial spores.

OSHA and EPA Regulations

OSHA: Regulates safety and health standards to protect employees, providing information about hazards.
Employer Obligations: Safety data sheets (SDS) must be available in salons for all products used.
EPA: Registers disinfectants used in the U.S., ensuring they meet required efficacy standards.
Using disinfectants contrary to the labeled instructions is illegal, and failure to comply may result in legal responsibilities.

Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

SDS includes 16 categories of information regarding safety concerns of chemicals, their hazards, and first aid measures.
Categories cover identification, hazard info, composition, first aid, handling/storage, exposure controls, physical properties, stability, toxicity, disposal, transport, regulatory information, and revision date.

Understanding Laws and Rules

Laws: Written statutes by federal and state legislatures outlining general conduct, such as proper cleaning methods.
Rules: More specific guidelines on how laws should be followed, subject to change.

Types of Microorganisms

Pathogenic Bacteria: Harmful microbes that cause disease or infection.
Non-pathogenic Bacteria: Beneficial organisms with roles like preventing infections.
MRSA: A contagious staph infection common in salons, often starts as a skin infection.

Sterilization and Disinfectants

Sterilization: Process eliminating all microbial life, including spores.
Efficacy: The effectiveness of a disinfectant in killing germs according to instructions.
Hospital Disinfectants: Effective for medical settings but safe for use on nonporous salon surfaces.
Types of Disinfectants: Include quaternary ammonium compounds (Quats), phenolic disinfectants, and bleach.

Proper Disinfectant Use

Implements must be cleaned of visible residue before disinfection; residues can hinder effectiveness.
Tools should be fully immersed in disinfectant for a minimum of 10 minutes.
Multi-use items can be cleaned and reused, while single-use items must be disposed of after one use.

Antiseptics and Hand Hygiene

Antiseptics: Chemical agents effective on skin, regulated by the FDA (e.g., witch hazel).
Waterless hand sanitizers only reduce microbes but do not wash away dirt; liquid soap and water are essential for proper cleansing.
Handwashing should last at least 20 seconds for maximum effectiveness.

Standard Precautions and Exposure Incidents

Follow CDC guidelines which assume all human blood and body fluids are potentially infectious.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) includes gloves and safety glasses.
An exposure incident refers to contact with broken skin or infectious materials; contaminated items should be disposed of in sealed bags.

Description

This quiz covers essential principles of infection control, including methods for cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting to minimize the transmission of infectious organisms. It also includes relevant OSHA and EPA regulations for maintaining safety in various settings. Test your knowledge on these critical health and safety concepts!