Module 4 Flashcards
1
Q
- Identify the 2 federal agencies that regulate sharps and medical waste and define the areas that each is concerned with
A
- OSHA: Collect, store, and handle waste in a manner that protects staff members and promotes sanitation
- Sharps, blood borne pathogens
- EPA: Protect the environment and the general public local and state regulation of hazardous waste
- Storage, transportation, disposal
- Get informed of state regulations
2
Q
- Describe the proper handling and disposal of biomedical and sharps waste
A
- Waste should be considered biomedical waste when the item contains human pathogens
- Otherwise, waste can be considered general waste
- There are required procedures for identifying, packaging, storing, and transporting.
- Outside companies are available for storage, transportation, and disposal
3
Q
- Define “sharps” and identify those items in a veterinary practice that would be considered as such
A
- Sharps are objects capable of cutting or penetrating skin.
- Breakable items
- Glass slides, test tubes, cover slips
- Needles
- Syringes
- When a syringe is still attached to the needle the entire unit is considered a “sharps” object. When the syringe is not attached to the needle, some states classify the syringe as regular trash unless it is contaminated with a pathogen that can infect humans.
- Scalpel Blades
4
Q
- Explain the one-handed needle recapping technique
A
- 1: Place cap on flat surface
- 2: use one hand to hold syringe in fingertips with needle pointing away from your body.
- 3: Place fingertips on flat surface so that needle and syringe are parallel to and in line with the cap
- 4: Move hand forward until needle is inside cap and use other hand to “seat” cap firmly.
5
Q
- List the requirements for a sharps container
A
- Puncture proof
- Leak proof
- Rigid
- Inhibit rapid microbial growth
- Red, yellow, or clear
6
Q
- List methods to minimize the hazards associated with animal handling and husbandry
A
- The first safety rule when working around animals is to stay alert.
- keep your attention focused on the animal’s reactions, not on the procedure.
- In large animals species be mindful of the fight or flight zone.
- Learn proper restraint positions for each species of animal you work with.
- Chemical restraint, rather than physical restraint, is often better for both you and the animal
7
Q
- Identify the steps to care for an animal bite
A
- Irrigation and first aid are the most important steps!
- Irrigation with soap and water
- All cat bites require antibiotics
- Rabies prophylaxis may be required depending on an animal’s vaccination status
8
Q
- Identify potential allergens a veterinary worker may develop
A
- Animals, drugs, latex, molds, dust, bedding (example: pine or cedar shavings), feed
- Exposure to allergens can happen through:
- Aerosolization
- Ingestion
- Direct skin contact
9
Q
- Explain why personal hygiene is one of the most important means to prevent the transmission of disease
A
- Hand washing dramatically decreases the risk of disease transmission by absorption as well as incidental ingestion
- Always wash your hands:
- After treating any patient
- After handling any lab specimen
- After handling any chemical product
- Before and after using the restroom
- Before and after eating or taking a break
- Before leaving the hospital
10
Q
- Identify and differentiate between the 3 major routes of zoonotic disease transmission
A
- Contact
- Aerosol
- Vector-borne
10
Q
- Describe the limitations for using hand sanitizer in place of hand washing
A
- NOT the same as washing!
- Don’t eliminate all germs
- Dirt/grease effects efficacy
- Don’t remove chemicals, pesticides
11
Q
- Define and provide examples of fomites
A
- contaminated inanimate objects including bedding, surgical instruments, soil, water, food, milk, and vehicles
11
Q
- Describe appropriate recommendations for preventing the spread of disease between facilities or between areas within a facility
A
- Cleaning and disinfection of equipment and surfaces
- Isolation
- Rodent and vector control
