WHMIS and Infection Control Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary reason that health care workers should prioritize hand hygiene?

To comply with hospital policies

To maintain personal cleanliness

To reduce the cost of medical supplies

To prevent the spread of infections (correct)

When lifting a heavy object, which rule of body mechanics is MOST crucial to prevent back injury?

Maintaining a broad stance

Using the weight of your body

Avoiding twisting your body

Bending from the hips and knees (correct)

Which of these actions is NOT recommended for safely operating a wheelchair?

Locking the brakes before seating or removing a patient

Keeping hands clear of the wheels while moving

Confirming that the brakes are locked

Traveling at a pace that is best for the caregiver (correct)

Before initiating any patient transfer, what is the most important initial step a healthcare worker should take?

Washing their hands Signup and view all the answers

Which of these measures is LEAST important regarding the safe use of a Hoyer lift?

Cleaning the patient after the lift Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of WHMIS?

To reduce workplace injuries related to hazardous materials by providing workers with information. Signup and view all the answers

In addition to hazard classification criteria, what significant change was introduced to WHMIS in 2015?

The addition of new hazard symbols for specific risks. Signup and view all the answers

Which symbol is commonly associated with biohazardous materials in healthcare settings?

The biohazard symbol. Signup and view all the answers

What are the common modes of transmission for pathogens?

Contact, vectors, airborne, droplet Signup and view all the answers

What are bloodborne pathogens?

Microorganisms that cause disease, found in blood. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a safety measure to prevent sharps injuries?

Dispose of sharps in designated sharps disposal containers. Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'fomite' in the context of infection transmission?

A contaminated non-living object that can transmit pathogens. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is NOT an example of a bloodborne pathogen?

Influenza. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered a portal of entry for a pathogen?

Mucus membranes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a fomite?

A door handle Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of medical asepsis?

To reduce the number of microorganisms and prevent transmission Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes surgical asepsis?

Practices that eliminate all microorganisms Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of an antiseptic?

Alcohol Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a nosocomial infection?

An infection acquired in a health care facility Signup and view all the answers

What is cross-contamination?

The spread of microorganisms from one entity to another Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of standard precautions?

To assume all individuals could be infectious Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a transmission based precaution?

Wearing sterile gloves Signup and view all the answers

When is surgical asepsis typically used?

Surgical procedures Signup and view all the answers

How does sterilization differ from disinfection?

Sterilization destroys all microorganisms; disinfection removes most Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a potential patient risk associated with surgical procedures?

Infection of the surgical site Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct order for donning PPE?

Hand wash, gown, hat, mask,eye protection, gloves Signup and view all the answers

Why is hand washing considered so important for preventing the spread of infection?

It reduces amount of contamination acquired through contact with patients or other surfaces Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System)

WHMIS is a program that ensures worker "Right to Know" about hazardous materials in the workplace.
The purpose is to reduce injuries from hazardous materials.
The 1988 version remained largely unchanged until a comprehensive update in 2015, introducing more detailed hazard classifications and additional hazard symbols (exploding bomb, health hazard, environment).
A common symbol in healthcare is the biohazard symbol, used for containers of regulated waste or potentially infectious materials (blood, etc.).

Bloodborne Pathogens

Bloodborne pathogens are disease-causing microorganisms (viruses, bacteria) carried in blood.
Examples include HIV, Hepatitis B & C, and AIDS.

Sharps Safety

Avoid recapping or bending contaminated needles.
Dispose of sharps in designated boxes to prevent injury to others.

Infection Transmission

Modes of Transmission:
- Contact (e.g., bloodborne pathogens, direct contact)
- Airborne (tiny droplets suspended in air)
- Droplet (larger droplets landing on surfaces)
- Vector (organisms carrying pathogens)
Chain of Infection:
- Infectious agent: The pathogen
- Reservoir: Where the pathogen lives (e.g., skin, water, contaminated objects)
- Portal of exit: How pathogen leaves the reservoir
- Portal of entry: How pathogen enters a new host
- Susceptible host: A person vulnerable to infection
Breaking the chain of infection: Safe food handling, proper waste disposal, vaccines, PPE, hygiene, disinfection, and getting screened all contribute to breaking the chain of infection.

Infection Control Terminology

Microorganism (microbe): A small living organism (not visible without a microscope).
Pathogen: A microorganism that causes disease.
Fomite: Contaminated non-living object (e.g., doorknob).
Asepsis: Preventing infection or disease.
- Medical asepsis: Reducing microorganisms, protecting the worker.
- Surgical asepsis: Removing all microorganisms, protecting the patient
Disinfectant: Eliminating most pathogens (not all).
Sterilization: Eliminating all microorganisms.
Antiseptic: Chemical applied to living tissue to reduce infection risk.
Opportunistic infection: Infection caused by weakened body defenses.
Nosocomial infection: Infection acquired in a healthcare facility.
Cross-contamination: Microorganisms transferring from one person or object to another.
Standard precautions: Basic infection control practices (assuming everyone is potentially infectious).
Transmission-based precautions: Additional precautions for known infectious illnesses.

Standard and Transmission Based Precautions

Standard Precautions: Basic infection-control practices done by all healthcare workers in every situation, considering everyone potentially infectious. This practice includes handwashing and disinfection for all situations.
Transmission-Based Precautions: Additional measures if an infection is known to be present, such as using PPE and sterilization procedures that supplement standard precautions when necessary.

Asepsis (Medical and Surgical)

Medical Asepsis: Reducing microorganisms, protecting the worker. Practices include handwashing, disinfection, wearing non-sterile PPE, and handling contaminated items
Surgical Asepsis: Removing all microorganisms, protecting the patient. Practices include sterile procedures, sterile instruments, and wearing sterile PPE.

Infection Control Risks and Consequences

Patient Risks: Infection, bleeding, anesthetic complications
Worker Risks: Exposure to bloodborne pathogens, infection, physical strain
Consequences of improper infection control: Increased risk of infection, potentially life-threatening sepsis, organ failure, or death.

Sterile Field

Sterile field: A designated area kept free from microorganisms to maintain sterility. (A 2-inch perimeter is considered unsterile.)
Sterile instruments: Sterile instruments and equipment's can be verified by properly verifying a sterile package hasn't been punctured.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

PPE includes gloves, gowns, eye protection, masks, and hats.
Donning order: Hand hygiene, gown, hat, mask, eye protection, and finally gloves.
Doffing order: Gloves first, then gown, wash hands, eye protection, mask, then hat, and finally, wash hands again.

Handwashing

Handwashing is critical to prevent infections.
Hand hygiene encompasses all types of hand cleaning. It’s important to use proper technique.

Body Mechanics

Rules of Body Mechanics:
- Wide base of support.
- Bend from hips and knees, not the back.
- Use strong muscles (legs/arms) not weak muscles (back).
- Keep objects close to the body.
- Avoid twisting.
- Use body weight.
- Avoid continuous bending.
- Get help with heavy objects.
Wheelchair Safety: Lock brakes before/after patient use, avoid putting hands near wheels when moving, and maintain an appropriate speed.
Working height: Height for safe patient examination.
Transfer procedure: Ensure hands are clean, set patient to appropriate working height.
Hoyer Lift Safety: Proper training necessary; assess patient, inspect lift, and clear area.

Consequences of poor body mechanics

Back pain, serious body injury, and spinal dysfunction, joint degeneration.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) and infection control practices. This quiz covers hazardous materials, bloodborne pathogens, sharps safety, and modes of infection transmission. Ensure you're informed to maintain safety in the workplace!