Laboratory Safety Flashcards
How might a PA be exposed to radiation?
Sentinel lymph nodes injected with radioactive tracer
Radioactive implants
Intra-operative radiation (CT or X-ray)
What does RACE stand for?
R = remove persons in danger A = activate alarm/always call 911 C = contain fire and smoke/close doors and windows E = evacuate/extinguisher
Through what exposure routes might a PA potentially contact an infectious agent?
Aerosolization
Ingestion
Direct inoculation via needle puncture
Mucous membrane or non-intact skin contact
What is the best way to prevent infection and contamination?
WASH YOUR HANDS
What is the number for the occupational health services hotline?
115 (in house) or 684-8115 (off site)
What do the colors and numbers on the NFPA Hazard Identification diamonds represent?
Red = flammable Yellow = reactive Blue = health risk White = special hazard Numbers = rating scale 0 (no risk) to 4 (high risk)
What are the components of PPE, and which ones are required?
Gloves, protective clothing, and eye protection are required
Mask, shoe covers, and head coverings are recommended but not required
What are the major infectious agents that a PA should be concerned about?
Hepatitis A, B, and C
HIV
Tuberculosis
Creuztfeldt-Jacob disease
What are ‘universal precautions?’
The mandatory standard to treat all specimens, fresh or fixed, as if they were potentially infectious, and to use the appropriate precautionary measures
What can you do to decontaminate an area, or prevent contamination?
Use a 1:10 dilution of bleach and water to decontaminate surfaces
Properly dispose of gowns and gloves
No food or drink, application of cosmetics, or manipulation of contact lenses in the lab
How should a PA protect herself against chemical exposure (formalin)?
Where gloves and eye protection
Be careful when pouring formalin and picking up containers!
What cryogenic agents present a potential hazard in a pathology lab?
Freon
Liquid nitrogen
Dry ice
