HSP Safety & Infection Control 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A psychologist is conducting therapy in a community clinic and a client discloses they have active tuberculosis. What is the most appropriate immediate infection control action?
- Continue the session behind a closed door
- Don mask and move client to a negative-pressure room if available (Correct answer)
- Terminate the session and reschedule via telehealth only
- Refer client immediately to the emergency department
Correct answer: Don mask and move client to a negative-pressure room if available
Active TB requires airborne precautions including N95 respirator use and negative-pressure isolation to prevent transmission.
Question 2: Which federal agency sets occupational exposure limits for bloodborne pathogens in healthcare workplaces, including psychology practices?
- CDC
- OSHA (Correct answer)
- NIOSH
- FDA
Correct answer: OSHA
OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) mandates exposure control plans for healthcare workplaces.
Question 3: A psychologist accidentally touches a surface contaminated with a client's blood. According to standard precautions, the first step is to:
- Apply hand sanitizer immediately
- Wash the area thoroughly with soap and water (Correct answer)
- Report to the infection control officer before doing anything else
- Apply an antiseptic wipe and monitor for symptoms
Correct answer: Wash the area thoroughly with soap and water
Standard precautions prioritize washing the exposed area with soap and water immediately after potential bloodborne pathogen exposure.
Question 4: In a hospital-based psychology unit, a patient is placed on contact precautions for MRSA. Which PPE is required before entering the patient's room?
- N95 respirator only
- Gown and gloves (Correct answer)
- Face shield and gloves
- Surgical mask and gown
Correct answer: Gown and gloves
Contact precautions for MRSA require a gown and gloves to prevent transmission through direct contact with the patient or environment.
Question 5: A health service psychologist is reviewing the clinic's exposure control plan. How frequently must this plan be reviewed and updated per OSHA requirements?
- Every 5 years
- Every 3 years
- Annually (Correct answer)
- Only when an exposure incident occurs
Correct answer: Annually
OSHA requires the Exposure Control Plan to be reviewed and updated at least annually and whenever new tasks or procedures are added.
Question 6: Which disinfection level is appropriate for non-critical items such as blood pressure cuffs used in a psychology clinic?
- Sterilization
- High-level disinfection
- Low-level disinfection (Correct answer)
- Intermediate-level disinfection
Correct answer: Low-level disinfection
Non-critical items that contact intact skin require low-level disinfection using EPA-registered disinfectants per the Spaulding classification.
Question 7: A psychologist is setting up a trauma-informed intake process for clients with infectious disease histories. The most important principle guiding infection control decisions in this context is:
- Applying the most stringent precautions to all clients regardless of status
- Using standard precautions consistently with every client (Correct answer)
- Asking all clients to disclose their infectious disease status before sessions
- Requiring negative infection screens before initiating treatment
Correct answer: Using standard precautions consistently with every client
Standard precautions treat all clients as potentially infectious, eliminating the need for prior status disclosure and supporting trauma-informed care.
HSP Safety & Infection Control 2
A psychologist is conducting therapy in a community clinic and a client discloses they have active tuberculosis.
What is the most appropriate immediate infection control action?