Infection Control & Prevention Flashcards

Which government agency publishes the recommended immunization schedule that acupuncture practitioners should follow for occupational health?

Answer: CDC

The CDC publishes the recommended adult immunization schedule, which guides occupational vaccinations for healthcare workers including acupuncture practitioners.

A patient presents with an open wound near the intended needling site. The practitioner should:

Answer: Avoid needling within and around the open wound site and document the decision

Open wounds represent a breach in skin integrity and an infection risk; the affected area should be avoided and the clinical decision documented in the patient record.

Which environmental surface in an acupuncture clinic requires disinfection between EVERY patient?

Answer: Treatment table and all touched surfaces

Treatment tables and all high-touch surfaces in the treatment room must be disinfected between patients to prevent cross-contamination.

What is the role of the Exposure Control Plan (ECP) required by OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard?

Answer: To outline procedures to protect workers from occupational bloodborne pathogen exposure

The ECP is a written document that identifies at-risk job classifications, describes protective measures, and outlines post-exposure procedures to minimize occupational bloodborne pathogen risk.

If a practitioner needs to re-palpate a needling site after initial skin antisepsis, the correct action is to:

Answer: Re-palpate with a sterile glove finger or re-disinfect the site before needling

Re-palpating with an ungloved finger after antisepsis recontaminates the site; a sterile gloved finger must be used or the site must be re-cleaned before inserting the needle.

Which of the following is the MOST important reason for using individually packaged, single-use sterile needles in acupuncture?

Answer: They eliminate the risk of cross-contamination between patients and remove the need for in-office sterilization

Single-use sterile needles guarantee sterility for each patient and eliminate the risk of inadequate sterilization of reusable instruments, which is the primary infection prevention rationale.

A practitioner develops a weeping wound on their hand. According to infection control standards, the practitioner should:

Answer: Refrain from direct patient care until the wound is healed or adequately covered per clinic policy

Open weeping wounds on a practitioner's hands represent a direct cross-contamination risk; clinic policy and standard precautions typically restrict direct patient care until the wound is healed or covered per infection control requirements.