Safety and Infection Control in Phlebotomy: Essential Knowledge for Professionals

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a universal precaution for preventing the spread of bloodborne pathogens in a healthcare setting, according to the CDC?

Accepted Answer

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing

Answer

Wear gloves when handling blood or other potentially infectious materials

Answer

Wash hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer

Answer

Use personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling sharps

Question 2

What is the proper course of action in the event you are exposed to blood or body fluids of a patient?

Accepted Answer

Report the exposure promptly and follow established decontamination procedures

Answer

Self-medicate with antibiotics

Answer

Ignore it, as it is unlikely to cause infection

Answer

Wash the exposed area with soap and water

Question 3

What is the main purpose of implementing universal precautions?

Accepted Answer

To assume all patients may have bloodborne pathogens and thus require appropriate protective measures

Answer

To prevent cross-contamination of patient samples

Answer

To reduce the risk of infection transmission in healthcare settings

Answer

To minimize the use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

Question 4

Which of the following is a key component typically found in a Safety Data Sheet (SDS)?

Accepted Answer

Hazards associated with a chemical substance and proper handling procedures

Answer

Patient medical history and demographics

Answer

List of equipment used in a healthcare setting

Answer

Instructions for collecting and processing blood samples

Question 5

What is the appropriate approach before entering a patient's room?

Accepted Answer

Knock and announce your presence clearly

Answer

Wait for a verbal invitation from the patient to enter

Answer

Enter the room without knocking or announcing

Answer

Call out the patient's name loudly from the hallway

Question 6

What should you do if you observe a colleague violating established safety protocols?

Accepted Answer

Report it to the supervisor in charge

Answer

Inform the patient directly

Answer

Ignore it, as it is not your direct responsibility

Answer

Confront the colleague personally

Question 7

In phlebotomy, which action is the most fundamental aspect of infection control?

Accepted Answer

Washing hands thoroughly

Answer

Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE)

Answer

Disinfecting surfaces regularly

Answer

Isolating infected individuals

Question 8

Which of the following is the most effective method for preventing infections in a healthcare setting?

Accepted Answer

Proper hand hygiene

Answer

Wearing sterile gloves

Answer

Wearing a surgical mask

Question 9

In a phlebotomy setting, when should gloves be worn?

Accepted Answer

When handling blood or potentially infectious materials

Answer

When cleaning the work area

Answer

When drawing blood from a patient with a visible infection

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a type of sharps injury prevention device?

Accepted Answer

Conventional needle

Answer

Retractable needle

Answer

Scalpel with a safety guard

Answer

Needleless IV system

Question 11

Which of the following is a primary mode of transmission for bloodborne pathogens?

Accepted Answer

Contact with infected blood or other bodily fluids

Answer

Direct contact with contaminated surfaces

Answer

Ingestion of contaminated food or water

Answer

Inhalation of airborne droplets

Question 12

What is the main purpose of using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer in a healthcare setting?

Accepted Answer

To eliminate bacteria and viruses from the hands

Answer

To prevent the spread of infection from one patient to another

Answer

To remove visible dirt and debris from the hands

Question 13

Which of the following is a characteristic of a safe and effective phlebotomy workplace?

Accepted Answer

Adequate lighting, ventilation, and organization

Answer

Lack of proper sharps disposal containers

Answer

Cluttered work surfaces

Answer

Poorly maintained equipment

Question 14

What is the primary purpose of using personal protective equipment (PPE) in infection prevention?

Accepted Answer

To create a barrier between healthcare workers and potentially infectious materials

Answer

To improve patient comfort

Answer

To prevent the contamination of the environment

Question 15

If you accidentally stick yourself with a needle, what should you do first?

Accepted Answer

Wash the wound thoroughly, report the incident, and seek medical attention

Answer

Report the incident but don't seek medical attention

Answer

Just wash the wound and continue with the procedure

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a practice that helps maintain a sterile work environment?

Accepted Answer

Using non-sterile gloves

Answer

Using sterile equipment

Answer

Working on a clean surface

Question 17

Which of the following is a common sign of infection?

Accepted Answer

Redness and swelling

Answer

Itching

Answer

Dryness

Answer

Bruising

Question 18

If you suspect a patient may have an infectious disease, what steps should you take?

Accepted Answer

Wear appropriate personal protective equipment and follow established infection control protocols

Answer

Send the patient home immediately without further assessment

Answer

Ignore the potential risk and continue working

Question 19

Which of the following items is considered a type of personal protective equipment (PPE)?

Accepted Answer

Gloves

Answer

Blood pressure cuff

Answer

Stethoscope

Answer

Tourniquet

Question 20

How should you dispose of contaminated waste?

Accepted Answer

In a designated biohazard container

Answer

By leaving it in the work area

Answer

By flushing it down the toilet

Answer

In a regular trash can

Question 21

Which of the following is an effective way to prevent sharps injuries?

Accepted Answer

Never recap used needles

Answer

Throw sharps into the regular trash

Answer

Use scissors to cut blood tubes

Question 22

What is the recommended response if you are exposed to blood or other bodily fluids?

Accepted Answer

Wash the exposed area with soap and water, then report the incident and seek medical advice

Answer

Ignore the exposure and continue working

Answer

Use hand sanitizer only

Question 23

Which of the following is an essential component of the standard precautions used in healthcare settings?

Accepted Answer

Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) when appropriate

Answer

Using only disposable equipment

Answer

Keeping all doors and windows closed

Answer

Limiting patient contact to essential personnel

Question 24

Sharps, such as needles and lancets, should always be disposed of in:

Accepted Answer

A puncture-resistant sharps container

Answer

A sharps disposal box made of cardboard

Answer

A biohazard bag that is not puncture-resistant

Answer

A regular trash can

Question 25

The primary purpose of personal protective equipment (PPE) in healthcare is to:

Accepted Answer

Protect healthcare workers from exposure to potentially infectious materials

Answer

Dispose of medical waste safely

Answer

Create a sterile environment for procedures

Answer

Prevent patients from acquiring infections

Question 26

If you experience a blood spill in the workplace, the initial step you should take is to:

Accepted Answer

Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves and a gown

Answer

Notify your supervisor immediately

Answer

Clean up the spill with a bleach solution

Answer

Dispose of the contaminated materials without further action

Question 27

In the event of a needlestick injury, the recommended immediate action is to:

Accepted Answer

Wash the wound thoroughly and report the incident to your supervisor

Answer

Take pain medication to relieve discomfort

Answer

Ignore the injury and continue working

Answer

Apply pressure to the wound to stop bleeding

Question 28

Which of the following is NOT a crucial element of the chain of infection?

Accepted Answer

Improper disposal of contaminated waste

Answer

Susceptibility of the host to the infection

Answer

Transmission of a pathogen through a mode of transmission

Answer

Presence of a reservoir (source of infection)

Question 29

Which of the following is NOT a type of bloodborne pathogen?

Accepted Answer

Staphylococcus aureus

Answer

Hepatitis B virus

Answer

Hepatitis C virus

Answer

HIV

Question 30

When should personal protective equipment (PPE) be worn in a healthcare setting?

Accepted Answer

When there is a risk of exposure to blood, body fluids, or other potentially infectious materials

Answer

Only when drawing blood

Answer

Only when working with patients with known infectious diseases

Question 31

What is the proper protocol for disposing of sharps?

Accepted Answer

Place them in a designated sharps container

Answer

Flush them down the toilet

Answer

Throw them in the regular trash

Answer

Leave them on the work surface

Question 32

Which type of isolation precautions are used for patients with highly contagious airborne infections, such as measles or tuberculosis?

Accepted Answer

Negative pressure room

Answer

Contact isolation

Answer

Droplet precautions

Question 33

Which of the following is a common sign or symptom of an infection?

Accepted Answer

Fever

Answer

Happy mood

Answer

Increased appetite

Question 34

What should you do if you accidentally stick yourself with a needle or sharp object?

Accepted Answer

Report the incident to your supervisor and seek medical attention immediately

Answer

Ignore it and continue working

Answer

Clean the wound and apply a bandage

Answer

Take some ibuprofen

Question 35

Which of the following is NOT a component of the chain of infection?

Accepted Answer

Immunity

Answer

Reservoir

Answer

Mode of transmission

Answer

Pathogen

Question 36

What is the most effective way to prevent the spread of infection in the workplace?

Accepted Answer

Adhering to established infection control protocols and guidelines

Answer

Praying

Answer

Wearing a lucky charm

Question 37

As a phlebotomist, what is your primary responsibility in maintaining a safe and infection-controlled environment?

Accepted Answer

Implementing infection control practices, reporting incidents, and providing education to patients and colleagues

Answer

Cleaning the work area occasionally

Answer

Only drawing blood

Question 38

Which of these is NOT a key component of sterile technique?

Accepted Answer

Using bare hands.

Answer

Employing sterile instruments.

Answer

Wearing a protective gown.

Answer

Maintaining a clean work area.

Question 39

When collecting a blood sample via phlebotomy, the initial and most crucial step is:

Accepted Answer

Confirming patient identity.

Answer

Cleaning the puncture site with alcohol.

Answer

Inserting the needle.

Answer

Applying a tourniquet.

Question 40

Which type of gloves is recommended for drawing blood?

Accepted Answer

Nitrile gloves.

Answer

Vinyl gloves.

Answer

Cotton gloves.

Answer

Latex gloves.

Question 41

Where should a tourniquet be positioned when drawing blood?

Accepted Answer

2-3 inches above the puncture site.

Answer

1 inch below the puncture site.

Answer

Directly above the puncture site.

Answer

5-6 inches above the puncture site.

Question 42

The primary purpose of using an alcohol swab during blood collection is to:

Accepted Answer

Cleanse and disinfect the puncture site.

Answer

Prevent blood clotting.

Answer

Mark the puncture site.

Answer

Numb the puncture site.

Question 43

For a standard blood draw, the preferred venipuncture site is the:

Accepted Answer

Median cubital vein.

Answer

Basilic vein.

Answer

Cephalic vein.

Answer

Radial vein.

Question 44

The fundamental responsibility of a phlebotomist regarding safety is to:

Accepted Answer

Follow infection control protocols and handle sharps appropriately.

Answer

Provide emotional support to patients.

Answer

Interpret lab results.

Question 45

If a phlebotomist accidentally pricks themselves with a needle during a blood draw, what is the very first action they should take?

Accepted Answer

Immediately report the incident to their supervisor.

Answer

Wash the puncture site thoroughly with soap and water.

Answer

Apply pressure to the puncture site for 5 minutes.

Question 46

Which of these is NOT a standard precaution in phlebotomy?

Accepted Answer

Wearing a respirator mask when drawing blood from a patient with tuberculosis.

Answer

Wearing gloves when handling blood and bodily fluids.

Answer

Disposing of sharps in a designated sharps container.

Question 47

The main reason for using a tourniquet during a venipuncture is to:

Accepted Answer

Make veins more visible and easier to locate.

Answer

Help the patient relax during the procedure.

Answer

Restrict blood flow to the arm for a prolonged period.

Answer

Prevent blood from clotting in the needle.

Question 48

In a busy clinic, what is the most important action a phlebotomist can take to prevent infections from spreading between patients?

Accepted Answer

Thoroughly wash their hands between each patient.

Answer

Wear a new pair of gloves for each patient.

Answer

Wipe the patient's arm with an alcohol swab.

Answer

Use a new needle for each patient.

Question 49

How should a sharps container be handled?

Accepted Answer

Keep it upright and securely closed, and dispose of it when it's 3/4 full.

Answer

Empty the container into a regular trash bin when it's full.

Answer

Leave the container open for ventilation.

Question 50

Which action is most likely to lead to a needlestick injury?

Accepted Answer

Recapping used needles.

Answer

Disposing of needles in a sharps container.

Answer

Wearing gloves during venipuncture.

Answer

Using a new needle for each patient.

Question 51

A patient feels lightheaded and dizzy after a blood draw. What should the phlebotomist do immediately?

Accepted Answer

Have the patient lie down and elevate their legs.

Answer

Offer the patient a glass of water.

Answer

Continue drawing blood from a different vein.

Answer

Tell the patient to go home and rest.

Question 52

The main reason for maintaining a clean and sterile work environment in phlebotomy is to:

Accepted Answer

Prevent the spread of infections to patients and healthcare professionals.

Answer

Create a more professional and welcoming environment for patients.

Answer

Make the work area look more organized.