Infection/Exposure Control & Safety

Question 1

Which precautions would be used for a patient with Pulmonary TB?

A. airborne
B. droplet
C. contact
D. percutaneous

Answer 1

Airborne

Question 2

A patient is diagnosed with Hepatitis A. Which of the following is the most likely source of the infection?

A. unprotected sex with a new partner
B. recent dental implant surgery
C. improper use of a hypodermic needle
D. a hamburger from a local fast food restaurant

Answer 2

a hamburger from a local fast food restaurant

Question 3

Which of the following statements by the medical assistant indicates the need for a better understanding of standard precautions?

A. The patient should wear a gown, gloves, and mask to maintain contact-droplet isolation.
B. I will perform hand hygiene after removing gloves.
C. Sharps containers should be replaced when 2/3 full.
D. Antimicrobial wipes may be used for cleaning an exam room between patients.

Answer 3

The patient should wear a gown, gloves, and mask to maintain contact-droplet isolation.

Question 4

A patient suspected of having which of the following respiratory disorders should be placed in isolation in the medical office?

A. COPD
B. Active TB
C. Asthma
D. Croup

Answer 4

Active TB

Question 5

Which of the following specific precautions should a patient be placed on to prevent the transmission of Clostridium difficile?

A. standard
B. airborne
C. droplet
D. contact

Answer 5

Contact

Question 6

When working with a patient with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), the ECG technician should

A. take the precautions for a contact pathogen.
B. use a special mask as it is an airborne pathogen.
C. use the procedures for reverse isolation.
D. use gloves and a mask if the patient is being treated.

Answer 6

take the precautions for a contact pathogen

Question 7

Which precautions would be used for a patient with Pulmonary TB?

A. airborne
B. droplet
C. contact
D. percutaneous

Answer 7

airborne

Question 8

A phlebotomist must follow transmission based precaution for which of the following patients?

A. patient with fever of unknown origin
B. patient who has rubeola
C. patient who has rheumatic fever
D. patient with pneumonia

Answer 8

patient who has rubeola

Question 9

If a patient has measles, which of the following is a required additional precaution?

A. hand hygiene
B. N95 respirator
C. gloves
D. eye protection

Answer 9

N95 respirator

Question 10

In addition to usual PPE what would you add or replace before entering a patient’s room with air borne precautions

Answer 10

N95 respirator

Question 11

Which of the following disease states would require the use of a mask by the patient during transportation?

A. HIV and Varicella
B. Tuberculosis and Varicella
C. Hepatitis and Tuberculosis
D. Staphylococcal Infection and Hepatitis

Answer 11

Tuberculosis and Varicella

Question 12

A phlebotomist has been asked to collect a specimen from a patient with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Which of the following transmission-based precautions should be used?

A. contact and droplet precautions
B. complete isolation precautions
C. airborne precautions
D. reverse isolation precautions

Answer 12

contact and droplet precautions

Question 13

Which of the following measures is applicable when treating patients diagnosed with tuberculosis?

A. Contact Precautions
B. Standard Precautions
C. Universal Precautions
D. Airborne Precautions

Answer 13

Airborne Precautions

Question 14

It is appropriate for the medical assistant to use an alcohol-based hand rub as the only method of hand hygiene after which of the following activities?

A. applying non-sterile gloves for a dressing change
B. measuring a patient’s apical pulse
C. using the restroom
D. assisting the physician with a laceration repair

Answer 14

measuring a patient’s apical pulse

Question 15

Which of the following is the most important defensive mechanism against pathogens?

A. oropharyngeal mucous membranes
B. intact skin
C. acidic environment of the digestive tract
D. the ability to cough and sneeze

Answer 15

Intact skin

Question 16

The medical assistant is reprocessing a contaminated endoscope. Which of the following is the minimum level of asepsis required for this instrument?

A. chemical sterilization
B. disinfection
C. autoclave
D. sanitization

Answer 16

Disinfection

Question 17

While giving a patient an injection, the patient jumped, causing the medical assistant to get stuck on the hand with a contaminated needle. After performing thorough hand washing, which of the following should the medical assistant do first?

A. Begin infectious disease prophylaxis.
B. Complete an exposure incident report.
C. Obtain patient consent for infectious disease testing.
D. Report the incident to a supervisor

Answer 17

Report the incident to a supervisor

Question 18

A phlebotomist has received a requisition to collect a blood specimen on a patient infected with diphtheria. The phlebotomist must be sure to follow what precautions?

A. standard precautions and airborne precautions
B. droplet precautions and contact precautions.
C. standard, airborne, droplet and contact precautions.
D. droplet precautions and airborne precautions.

Answer 18

standard, airborne, droplet and contact precautions

Question 19

When arriving at a patient’s room for a timed blood draw, a phlebotomist observes an airborne precautions sign on the patient’s door. How should the phlebotomist proceed?

A. Enter patient’s room, and proceed with procedure, as it is time sensitive
B. Apply PPE, sterile cloth mask, and proceed with procedure
C. Apply N95, and proceed with procedure
D. Apply PPE and N95, and proceed with procedure

Answer 19

Apply PPE and N95, and proceed with procedure

Question 20

Which of the following is a common allergic reaction to a latex product?

A. vertigo
B. hemorrhage
C. syncope
D. urticaria

Answer 20

Urticaria

Question 21

Which of the following actions by the medical assistant is the first line of defense in preventing the spread of microorganisms?

A. wear non-sterile gloves when performing venipuncture
B. perform regular hand hygiene
C. wear sterile gloves when changing a dressing
D. use aseptic technique when drawing up a medication

Answer 21

perform regular hand hygiene

Question 22

Which of the following requires the highest level of disinfection in order to be destroyed?

A. organism that causes influenza
B. organism that causes giardiasis
C. organism that causes tetanus
D. organism that causes rotavirus

Answer 22

organism that causes tetanus

Question 23

A patient is diagnosed with Hepatitis A. Which of the following is the most likely source of the infection?

A. exposure from sharing a roommate’s razor
B. recent dental implant surgery
C. improper use of a hypodermic needle
D. a hamburger from a local fast food restaurant

Answer 23

a hamburger from a local fast food restaurant

Question 24

Which of the following would be considered a nosocomial infection?

A. an elderly man in the ER with flu-like symptoms
B. an 8-year old boy that develops chicken pox 2 days after admission
C. a female patient who develops a UTI after having a urinary catheter
D. a healthcare worker that develops Hepatitis C

Answer 24

a female patient who develops a UTI after having a urinary catheter

Question 25

Which of the following should be stored in a refrigerator labeled with a biohazard sticker?

A. glucometer control solution
B. unused viral media tubes
C. xylocaine (Lidocaine HCl) 2% Jelly
D. prepared plasma specimens

Answer 25

prepared plasma specimens

Question 26

After hand washing, the ECG technician notices the patient has MRSA sores. The next step to take in order to prevent infection is to

A. reschedule the patient when the MRSA sores have healed.
B. implement reverse isolation.
C. don a protective mask.
D. use universal precautions.

Answer 26

use universal precautions.

Question 27

When transferring a patient from a wheelchair to the examination table, the wheelchair should be positioned so that the

A. strong side of the patient is closest to the medical assistant.
B. weak side of the patient is closest to the medical assistant.
C. patient’s feet are positioned in front of the medical assistant.
D. back of the wheelchair is positioned in front of the medical assistant

Answer 27

strong side of the patient is closest to the medical assistant.

Question 28

A medical assistant completes a blood collection using the evacuated system with a safety needle. The needle safety device is activated immediately following the collection. The needle is removed from the tube holder/adapter and discarded in a sharps container. Which of the following best describes the medical assistant’s actions?

A. The medical assistant activated the needle safety device too soon, but removing the needle was acceptable.
B. The medical assistant activated the needle safety device too soon and the needle and tube holder/adapter should not have been separated.
C. The medical assistant activated the needle safety device appropriately and removing the needle was acceptable.
D. The medical assistant activated the needle safety device appropriately, but the needle and tube holder/adapter should not have been separated.

Answer 28

The medical assistant activated the needle safety device appropriately, but the needle and tube holder/adapter should not have been separated.

Question 29

An immunization is currently available for prevention of which of the following bloodborne diseases?

A. Hepatitis C
B. HIV
C. Herpes simplex
D. Hepatitis B

Answer 29

Hepatitis B

Question 30

Which of the following diseases is a bloodborne pathogen?

A. tuberculosis
B. hepatitis C
C. varicella
D. influenza

Answer 30

Hepatitis C

Question 31

Which federal agency is responsible for regulating safe workplace environments, including compliance with blood borne pathogen standards?

A. DEA
B. CLIA
C. FDA
D. OSHA

Answer 31

OSHA

Question 32

Which of the following interventions is required by an employer, at no cost to the employee, following a needlestick exposure?

A. Offer Hepatitis B vaccine if the needle was contaminated.
B. Place exposed personnel on antiviral medications.
C. Offer HIV testing to the employee’s spouse or significant other.
D. Provide a confidential medical evaluation

Answer 32

Provide a confidential medical evaluation

Question 33

Which of the following is included in an exposure control plan?

A. dates of each employee’s last tetanus booster
B. maintenance of incident report logs
C. documentation of annual bloodborne pathogen training
D. emergency exit markings in compliance with OSHA standards

Answer 33

documentation of annual bloodborne pathogen training

Question 34

You are an employee in a healthcare setting and you have noticed a couple phlebotomists are not using proper hand washing technique. What standards are being violated?

A. CLIA
B. OSHA
C. JC
D. NAACLS

Answer 34

OSHA

Question 35

When disposing of hazardous materials, the phlebotomist must adhere to the guidelines and standards set forth by

A. OSHA.
B. CLIA.
C. FDA.
D. the Lab Manager

Answer 35

OSHA.

Question 36

An exposure control plan must be
A. ordered through OSHA annually.

B. signed by all employees of the facility, regardless of their duties.
C. written, reviewed, and updated annually.
D. kept with the personal protective equipment for quick reference

Answer 36

written, reviewed, and updated annually.

Question 37

Which of the following best describes the proper way to clean up a broken glass ampule?

A. Use a paper towel to pick up the pieces of glass and place them in a trash can.
B. Place the pieces of glass on a piece of paper and carry the paper to the dumpster.
C. Use a wet towel and wipe over the area so that minute fragments of glass may be picked up.
D. Use a broom and dust pan to sweep up the glass and fragments and place in a sharps container.

Answer 37

Use a broom and dust pan to sweep up the glass and fragments and place in a sharps container

Question 38

While collecting a sample for HIV, HBV and HCV antibody tests, the phlebotomist accidentally sticks his finger when disconnecting the venipuncture. Which of the following should be the phlebotomist’s immediate course of action?

A. Report the incident to the immediate supervisor.
B. Wash the site with a disinfectant for a minimum of 30 seconds.
C. Wash the site with soap and water for a minimum of 30 seconds.
D. Report directly to a licensed healthcare provider for treatment

Answer 38

Wash the site with soap and water for a minimum of 30 seconds

Question 39

The first course of action a phlebotomist should follow immediately after a needle stick is

A. report the incident to the immediate supervisor.
B. wash the site with a disinfectant for a minimum of 30 seconds.
C. wash the site with soap and water for a minimum of 30 seconds.
D. report directly to a licensed healthcare provider for treatment

Answer 39

wash the site with soap and water for a minimum of 30 seconds

Question 40

Which of the following actions by the medical assistant demonstrates the correct use of surgical asepsis?

A. closing the door to an exam room if a sterile field must be left unattended
B. opening sterile items with scrubbed hands
C. pouring liquids onto the sterile field from at least 20 inches above the field
D. replacing sterile items that may have become contaminated

Answer 40

replacing sterile items that may have become contaminated

Question 41

Hemostatic forceps are primarily used for which of the following functions during minor surgery?

A. to clamp off blood vessels until they can be closed with sutures
B. to remove foreign objects
C. to destroy tissue by cutting and sealing blood flow using heat
D. to cut through tissues

Answer 41

to clamp off blood vessels until they can be closed with sutures

Question 42

Sterilized instruments should be stored

A. for a maximum of 90 days.
B. with the tape side down to avoid susceptibility to contamination.
C. for a maximum of 10 days.
D. in a temperature controlled environment to prevent moisture accumulation

Answer 42

in a temperature controlled environment to prevent moisture accumulation.

Question 43

When performing routine quality control for an autoclave, how frequently should the safety valve be checked to ensure it is functioning properly?

A. after each use
B. daily
C. monthly
D. weekly

Answer 43

Monthly

Question 44

Which of the following items requires autoclave processing?

A. cautery pen
B. nylon sutures
C. synthetic sutures
D. transfer forceps

Answer 44

transfer forceps

Question 45

During a minor surgical procedure, which of the following equipment is required to maintain surgical asepsis if something needs to be added to a sterile surgical tray?

A. transfer forceps
B. Rochester forceps
C. mosquito hemostat
D. sponge forceps

Answer 45

transfer forceps

Question 46

Keeping contaminated equipment and supplies away from the medical assistant’s clothing to prevent pathogen transmission to the next patient is an example of which of the following?

A. medical asepsis
B. surgical asepsis
C. sanitization
D. disinfection

Answer 46

medical asepsis

Question 47

Handling exudate from a patient is an example of which of the following modes of disease transmission?

A. indirect
B. direct
C. airborne
D. vector

Answer 47

direct

Question 48

A patient notices the biohazard symbol above on the door and asks what it means. The medical assistant should tell the patient the symbol means

A. isolation precautions required.
B. radiation in use.
C. emergency eye wash station.
D. biohazard material present.

Answer 48

biohazard material present

Question 49

Which of the following chemicals is most commonly used to disinfect work surfaces?

A. benzalkonium chloride
B. chlorhexidine gluconate
C. isopropanol
D. sodium hypochlorite

Answer 49

sodium hypochlorite

Question 50

Which of the following is the minimum PPE requirement when drawing ordered lab work on a patient with suspected HIV?

A. gown, gloves, and mask
B. gloves only
C. mask only
D. gloves and mask only

Answer 50

gloves only

Question 51

As the medical assistant, you are assisting the primary provider with suture placement. What is the most important personal protective equipment you are going to gather for yourself and the provider?

A. Sterile Gloves
B. Face Mask
C. Body Gown
D. Shoe covers

Answer 51

Sterile Gloves

Question 52

The medical assistant has received a requisition to collect a blood specimen on a patient infected with multidrug-resistant TB. When leaving the patient’s room the medical assistant should be sure to

A. Remove her gloves, then the gown, then the mask.
B. Remove her gown, then the mask, then the gloves.
C. Remove her mask, then the gloves, then the gown.
D. Remove her mask, then the gown, then the gloves

Answer 52

Remove her gloves, then the gown, then the mask

Question 53

Which of the following is the most common means of transmission of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)?

A. direct contact with the skin of infected persons
B. direct contact with contaminated blood
C. inhaling contaminated respiratory droplets of infected persons
D. direct contact with contaminated feces

Answer 53

direct contact with the skin of infected persons

Question 54

When a phlebotomist enters an airborne isolation room, the appropriate PPE would be

A. gloves, N95 respirator
B. gown, gloves, N95 respirator
C. gown, gloves, mask
D. gown, mask

Answer 54

gloves, N95 respirator

Question 55

Which of the diseases listed below require contact precautions?

A. Rubella, mumps, and pertussis
B. Parovirus B19, streptococcal, and mycoplasma
C. Neisseria meningitis, sepsis, and epiglottitis
D. Clostridium difficile, escherichia coli, and pediculosis

Answer 55

Clostridium difficile, escherichia coli, and pediculosis

Question 56

The medical assistant should place which of the following patients arriving to the medical office screening area in immediate isolation?

A. A patient with a known history of Methicillin-Resistant Staph Aureus (MRSA) presenting with a new wound.
B. A patient with a known history of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus (VRE) of the GI tract.
C. A patient being seen for a fever and a rash who has never had chicken pox.
D. A patient reporting a high fever, stiff neck, blurry vision, and petechial rash.

Answer 56

A patient reporting a high fever, stiff neck, blurry vision, and petechial rash.

Question 57

Which of the following personal protective equipment must be used when working with a patient suspected of having pertussis?

A. surgical mask
B. fluid resistant gown
C. N95 respirator
D. sterile gloves

Answer 57

surgical mask

Question 58

Which of the following statements by the medical assistant indicates the need for a better understanding of standard precautions?

A. The patient should wear a gown, gloves, and mask to maintain contact-droplet isolation.
B. I will perform hand hygiene after removing gloves.
C. Sharps containers should be replaced when 2/3 full.
D. Antimicrobial wipes may be used for cleaning an exam room between patients.

Answer 58

The patient should wear a gown, gloves, and mask to maintain contact-droplet isolation.