FAC Facial Aesthetics Safety, Hygiene & Infection Control 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is MANDATORY when injecting botulinum toxin or dermal fillers?
- Surgical gown only
- Gloves and eye protection at minimum (Correct answer)
- Face shield only
- Sterile gown and boot covers
Correct answer: Gloves and eye protection at minimum
Gloves and eye protection are the minimum required PPE during injectable procedures to prevent exposure to blood-borne pathogens and product splatter.
Question 2: A patient presents with an active cold sore (herpes labialis) on their lip. What is the correct course of action before lip filler treatment?
- Proceed with treatment using extra antiseptic
- Postpone treatment until the lesion fully resolves (Correct answer)
- Treat only the opposite side of the lip
- Apply topical antiviral cream and proceed immediately
Correct answer: Postpone treatment until the lesion fully resolves
Active herpes labialis is a contraindication to lip filler; treatment must be deferred until the lesion fully heals to prevent viral dissemination.
Question 3: What is the recommended method to discard used needles after a facial aesthetic procedure in the US?
- Recap and place in regular trash
- Dispose in a rigid, puncture-resistant sharps container (Correct answer)
- Wrap in gauze and seal in a biohazard bag
- Bend the needle tip before disposal
Correct answer: Dispose in a rigid, puncture-resistant sharps container
Used needles must be deposited directly into an approved puncture-resistant sharps container without recapping to prevent needlestick injuries.
Question 4: Which disinfection level is required for semi-critical items (e.g., ultrasound probes used on intact skin) in an aesthetics clinic?
- Low-level disinfection
- High-level disinfection
- Sterilization
- Intermediate-level disinfection (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Intermediate-level disinfection
Semi-critical items that contact intact skin require intermediate-level disinfection, which eliminates vegetative bacteria, most fungi, and viruses.
Question 5: A practitioner develops a suspected latex allergy. Which step should be taken FIRST?
- Switch to powder-free latex gloves
- Report to occupational health and switch to non-latex gloves immediately (Correct answer)
- Use double-gloving technique with latex gloves
- Continue using latex gloves unless anaphylaxis occurs
Correct answer: Report to occupational health and switch to non-latex gloves immediately
A suspected latex allergy should be reported to occupational health immediately and the practitioner should switch to nitrile or other non-latex gloves to prevent sensitization progression.
Question 6: How should a treatment couch or chair be disinfected between patients in a facial aesthetics clinic?
- Wipe with dry paper towel
- Spray with 70% isopropyl alcohol and wipe with a lint-free cloth (Correct answer)
- Cover with a new disposable sheet without cleaning the surface
- Clean with soap and water only
Correct answer: Spray with 70% isopropyl alcohol and wipe with a lint-free cloth
Surfaces should be wiped with 70% isopropyl alcohol or an appropriate EPA-registered disinfectant between patients to reduce cross-contamination risk.
Question 7: When performing a skin prep before an injectable treatment, in which motion should the antiseptic be applied?
- Random circular strokes over the entire face
- Outward concentric circles from the injection site (Correct answer)
- Inward strokes toward the injection site
- Left-to-right horizontal sweeps
Correct answer: Outward concentric circles from the injection site
Antiseptic should be applied in outward concentric circles from the injection site to move potential contaminants away from the treatment area.
FAC Facial Aesthetics Safety, Hygiene & Infection Control 2
Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is MANDATORY when injecting botulinum toxin or dermal fillers?