Phlebotomy Safety and Infection Control Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A phlebotomist is preparing to draw blood from a patient in an isolation room. Which of the following pieces of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is the minimum requirement before entering the room?
- Gloves only
- Gloves and gown (Correct answer)
- Gloves, gown, and mask
- Gloves, gown, mask, and face shield
Correct answer: Gloves and gown
Standard Precautions require gloves for all phlebotomy procedures. However, when a patient is in an isolation room, there is a higher risk of exposure to infectious agents. Therefore, a gown is also required to protect the phlebotomist's clothing and skin from potential contamination. Masks and face shields are required when there is a risk of splashing or aerosol generation, but a gown and gloves are the minimum for entering an isolation setting.
Question 2: Which of the following represents the correct order of draw for a set of blood cultures, a coagulation tube (light blue), and a serum tube (red)?
- Red, Light Blue, Blood Cultures
- Light Blue, Red, Blood Cultures
- Blood Cultures, Light Blue, Red (Correct answer)
- Blood Cultures, Red, Light Blue
Correct answer: Blood Cultures, Light Blue, Red
The correct order of draw is critical to prevent cross-contamination of additives between tubes. Blood cultures must always be drawn first to maintain sterility and avoid contamination from other tube additives. The coagulation tube (light blue top) is drawn next. Finally, the serum tube (red top) is drawn.
Question 3: After performing a venipuncture, a phlebotomist accidentally sustains a needlestick injury. What is the IMMEDIATE first step the phlebotomist should take?
- Report the incident to a supervisor.
- Wash the wound with soap and water. (Correct answer)
- Seek post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
- Fill out an incident report.
Correct answer: Wash the wound with soap and water.
The immediate priority after a needlestick injury is to decontaminate the site to reduce the risk of infection. The wound should be immediately and thoroughly washed with soap and running water. Reporting the incident, filling out a report, and seeking medical evaluation are all crucial subsequent steps, but the first action is to clean the injury.
Question 4: To break the chain of infection, what is the single most effective means of preventing the spread of pathogens?
- Wearing gloves
- Using safety-engineered needles
- Proper hand hygiene (Correct answer)
- Isolating infected patients
Correct answer: Proper hand hygiene
While all options are important infection control measures, frequent and proper hand hygiene is recognized by the CDC and other health organizations as the single most effective way to prevent the spread of infections in a healthcare setting. It removes or destroys microorganisms picked up from other people, surfaces, or contaminated body fluids.
Question 5: According to OSHA and CDC guidelines, a sharps container should be sealed and disposed of when it is how full?
- Completely full to maximize space
- 1/2 full
- 3/4 full (Correct answer)
- At the end of each shift
Correct answer: 3/4 full
OSHA regulations and CDC guidelines state that sharps containers should be disposed of when they are approximately 3/4 full. Overfilling a sharps container significantly increases the risk of accidental needlestick injuries and exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
Question 6: A phlebotomist is tasked with cleaning a small blood spill on a laboratory countertop. Which of the following is an appropriate disinfectant?
- Soap and water
- 70% isopropyl alcohol
- A 1:10 dilution of household bleach (Correct answer)
- Sterile saline solution
Correct answer: A 1:10 dilution of household bleach
A 1:10 dilution of household bleach (sodium hypochlorite) is a commonly used and effective disinfectant for cleaning up blood spills in a healthcare setting. Soap and water can clean but not disinfect. 70% isopropyl alcohol is not recommended for blood spills as it can cause proteins to coagulate, potentially trapping infectious particles. Saline is not a disinfectant.
Phlebotomy Safety and Infection Control Questions and Answers 1
A phlebotomist is preparing to draw blood from a patient in an isolation room.
Which of the following pieces of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is the minimum requirement before entering the room?