Health, Safety, and Infection Control Flashcards

A residential cleaner finds a used hypodermic needle while cleaning a client's bathroom. What is the safest course of action?

Answer: Use tongs to place it in a puncture-resistant sharps container

Used needles must be handled without direct contact using a mechanical aid and disposed of in an approved sharps container to prevent needlestick injuries and disease transmission.

What is the correct dilution ratio for a standard household bleach solution used to disinfect surfaces against most common pathogens, per CDC guidelines?

Answer: 1/3 cup bleach per 1 gallon of water

The CDC recommends approximately 1/3 cup (about 5 tablespoons) of 5.25–8.25% sodium hypochlorite bleach per gallon of water for general surface disinfection.

Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is specifically recommended when vacuuming heavily dusty areas or during dry dusting in a home?

Answer: N95 or P100 particulate respirator mask

An N95 or P100 respirator filters fine airborne particles, protecting cleaners from inhaling dust, mold spores, and allergens stirred up during dry cleaning tasks.

When should a cleaning professional change their cleaning cloths or microfiber towels while cleaning a home?

Answer: Between rooms or surfaces to prevent cross-contamination

Changing cloths between rooms and between different surface types prevents transferring bacteria and pathogens from contaminated areas (like bathrooms) to lower-risk areas (like kitchens).

What does bloodborne pathogen training teach cleaning professionals to assume about every client's blood or body fluids?

Answer: All blood and body fluids should be treated as potentially infectious (Universal Precautions)

Universal Precautions, established by OSHA and CDC, require treating all human blood and certain body fluids as infectious regardless of the client's known health status.

A cleaning professional notices visible mold growth on a bathroom ceiling. What should they do before attempting to clean it?

Answer: Wet it with water first to prevent mold spore dispersal, then use appropriate cleaner

Wetting moldy surfaces before cleaning reduces the release of airborne spores, protecting both the cleaner and the home's occupants from respiratory exposure.

Which of the following cleaning chemicals should NEVER be stored in a hot car or near heat sources?

Answer: Aerosol spray disinfectants and flammable solvents

Aerosol cans can explode under high heat and flammable solvents have low flash points, making heat exposure extremely dangerous for these products.