Free Infection Control & OSHA Practice Questions

1. An office exposure control plan must be reviewed and updated at least annually according to OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard. Which of the following would MOST likely trigger a required update outside the annual review cycle?

• Hiring a new medical assistant
• A change in available safer needle devices or sharps engineering controls
• A patient complaint about wait times
• A change in the office's appointment scheduling software

2. When wrapping instruments for steam autoclave sterilization, the medical assistant should use:

• Approved sterilization wrap (muslin or autoclave paper/pouches) with instruments slightly open and hinges unlocked
• Standard aluminum foil tightly wrapped around each instrument
• Plastic kitchen wrap to seal the instruments in an airtight package
• Newspaper as a cost-effective alternative to sterilization wrap

3. An MA is preparing instruments for sterilization in an autoclave. Which item should NOT be placed in the autoclave?

• Sharp-tipped plastic instruments that may melt or deform at high temperatures
• Stainless steel surgical scissors
• Wrapped surgical instrument packs with sterilization indicators
• Stainless steel hemostats and forceps

4. The correct order for removing (doffing) PPE is:

• Gloves, goggles/face shield, gown, mask/respirator
• Mask, gloves, gown, goggles
• Gown, mask, gloves, goggles
• Goggles, gown, gloves, mask

5. An MA sustains a needlestick injury from a needle used on a patient known to be HIV positive. According to OSHA protocol, the FIRST step the MA should take is:

• Immediately wash the wound with soap and water, then report the exposure to the supervisor for initiation of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) evaluation
• Apply hydrogen peroxide and a bandage, then continue working and report at the end of the shift
• Squeeze the wound to force out potentially contaminated blood, then apply alcohol
• Complete an incident report before washing the wound to ensure accurate documentation