Unit 6: Infection Control and Safety

• Topic 01

  Chain of Infection and Modes of Transmission

  15 questions
• Topic 02

  Standard Precautions and Transmission-Based Precautions

  15 questions
• Topic 03

  Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) — Selection and Donning/Doffing

  15 questions
• Topic 04

  Handwashing and Hand Sanitisation Protocols

  15 questions
• Topic 05

  Sharps Safety and Needlestick Injury Protocol

  15 questions
• Topic 06

  Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030)

  15 questions
• Topic 07

  Biohazardous Waste Disposal and Sharps Containers

  15 questions
• Topic 08

  Emergency Protocols — CPR/AED Basics, Anaphylaxis, Syncope

  15 questions
• Topic 09

  Fire Safety, RACE and PASS Protocols

  15 questions

A few questions from this unit, with the answer and a full explanation. The complete bank is available when you start practising.

1. A medical assistant sustains a needlestick during venipuncture. What is the correct FIRST action?

   • A
     Immediately report to the supervisor before performing any first aid
   • B
     Squeeze the wound to force out any potentially infectious blood
   • C
     Wash the wound immediately and thoroughly with soap and water
     Correct answer
   • D
     Apply a tourniquet above the puncture site to prevent spread
   Explanation

   The first and most important action after a needlestick injury is to wash the wound immediately with soap and water for several minutes. This physical action removes surface contamination. Squeezing the wound is contraindicated because it does not remove pathogens and may increase tissue trauma. Caustic agents such as bleach or iodine must not be applied to the wound as they cause tissue damage without proven benefit. Reporting to the supervisor is essential and should occur promptly, but only after first aid is performed.

2. A medical assistant is setting up a new exam room and notices the fire extinguisher mounted in the hallway has an inspection tag that is 14 months old. What is the correct action?

   • A
     Notify the fire department directly without involving facility management
   • B
     Replace the extinguisher's tag with a current date to pass the next inspection
   • C
     Report the overdue inspection to the facilities or safety manager immediately; the extinguisher requires annual professional inspection and monthly visual checks
     Correct answer
   • D
     Test the extinguisher by briefly discharging it to confirm it is functional
   Explanation

   Fire extinguisher maintenance requirements include monthly visual checks (performed by staff) and annual professional inspections (performed by a certified technician). An inspection tag older than 12 months is overdue and the facility is non-compliant with NFPA 10 and The Joint Commission standards (EC.02.03.05). The MA should report this to the safety officer or facilities manager. Discharging the extinguisher to test it renders it non-functional and is not an appropriate maintenance method.

3. A medical assistant discovers smoke coming from an electrical outlet in a patient exam room. A patient is seated in the room. Using the RACE protocol, what is the correct first action?

   • A
     Notify the physician and wait for instructions before moving the patient
   • B
     Rescue: remove the patient from the room to safety before taking any other action
     Correct answer
   • C
     Attempt to extinguish the fire at the outlet using a fire extinguisher
   • D
     Close the exam room door and then call 911 from the hallway
   Explanation

   The first step of RACE is Rescue — removing patients and anyone in immediate danger from the hazard area. Patient safety takes priority over sounding the alarm, containing the fire, or attempting to extinguish it. After the patient is moved to safety, the MA activates the alarm (A), then closes the door to contain the fire (C), and finally considers whether to extinguish or evacuate (E). Moving the patient first prevents injury or death while other actions are taken.