Deck 4: Laboratory Safety

Question 1

Biosafety Level 1 agents:

A)include those that are the common agents of an infectious disease.
B)require only standard good laboratory techniques.
C)include Mycobacterium tuberculosis,M.gordonae,and Brucella.
D)require the use of maximum containment facilities.

Answer 1

B
Biological agents are classified into levels based on their degree of potential harm,from nonhazardous (Level 1)to the most hazardous (Level 4).

Question 2

A cleaning solution used on the venipuncture site to avoid skin contamination of the blood sample is called a(n):

A)surfactant.
B)disinfectant.
C)biocide.
D)antiseptic.

Answer 2

D
A disinfectant is used on inanimate objects to kill bacteria that are potentially harmful to humans,whereas an antiseptic is a disinfectant that is generally used on living tissue such as skin.

Question 3

Procedures such as grinding,mincing,vortexing,and preparing smears:

A)are hazardous and should be performed while wearing gloves and gown protection.
B)create aerosol droplets and should be performed only in an approved biosafety cabinet.
C)should be avoided with specimens known to contain infectious agents.
D)produce a spill hazard and should be performed over an absorptive mat.

Answer 3

B
All of these procedures create hazards by dispersing infectious material into the air and should be confined to protective equipment such as a safety cabinet.

Question 4

The most effective antiseptic agent against blood spills and therefore the antiseptic of choice in laboratories where these agents are likely found is:

A)70% ethanol.
B)phenol compound.
C)absolute ethanol.
D)10% bleach.

Question 5

The autoclave sterilizes material by:

A)applying dry heat at high temperatures and pressure.
B)infusing gaseous chemicals that kill organisms.
C)applying moist heat at high temperatures and increased pressure.
D)cleaving protein bonds found in most biological agent cell walls.

Question 6

Class I biological safety cabinets:

A)sterilize the air as it passes over the material in the cabinet.
B)protect the environment from contamination by biological agents by filtering the air as it is exhausted from the cabinet.
C)are completely enclosed and have gloves that enable the worker to manipulate the material in the cabinet.
D)are often called laminar flow hoods.

Question 7

Air flow in a microbiology laboratory should be:

A)from lower to higher risk areas.
B)minimized as much as possible.
C)optimized to prevent the settling of dangerous aerosols.
D)well-filtered by recirculating it through numerous filters before recycling.

Question 8

Standard Precautions include:

A)using barrier devices to prevent exposure to skin and mucous membranes.
B)recapping needles by hand.
C)storing drinks but not food in laboratory refrigerators.
D)discarding sharps in plastic biohazard bags.

Question 9

A cleaning solution used on the laboratory bench top to kill bacteria that are potentially harmful to humans would be called a(n):

A)surfactant.
B)disinfectant.
C)biocide.
D)antiseptic.

Question 10

To be sterilized in an autoclave,infectious medical waste should be:

A)packed tightly to avoid dangerous pressure pockets.
B)processed for 15 to 20 minutes at 121°C and 30 pounds per square inch (psi)pressure.
C)processed for 30 to 60 minutes at 132°C and 15 psi pressure.
D)processed for at least 1 hour at 121°C and 15 psi pressure.

Question 11

Information concerning a chemical product's health hazards,toxicity,and disposal procedures is:

A)found in the manufacturer's material safety data sheets (MSDS).
B)found on the product label.
C)proprietary information and only released at the manufacturer's discretion.
D)obtained through the manufacturer's technical support division;acquiring access to that information is the responsibility of the laboratory worker.

Question 12

The agency that requires health care facilities to provide employees with all devices and mechanisms necessary to protect them from the hazards encountered in the laboratory is:

A)Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC).
B)Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
C)Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
D)Health Emergency Planning Advisor (HEPA).

Question 13

The agency that has published guidelines known as Standard Precautions to reduce the risk of disease transmission in laboratories is:

A)DHEC.
B)OSHA.
C)CDC.
D)EPA.

Question 14

The agency that has published a guide to hazardous waste reduction is:

A)DHEC.
B)OSHA.
C)CDC.
D)U.S.Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Question 15

The method of choice for sterilizing items such as antibiotic solutions,chemicals,radioisotopes,and vaccines that are heat-sensitive is:

A)dry,low temperature heat.
B)moist,low temperature heat.
C)filtration.
D)chemical.

Question 16

The agency that has published guidelines regarding the packaging of biohazardous specimens is known as:

A)DHEC.
B)International Air Transport Association (IATA).
C)CDC.
D)EPA.

Question 17

Optimal protection of specimen,personnel,and environment is accomplished with which class of biological safety cabinet?

A)Class I
B)Class II
C)Class III
D)Class IV

Question 18

Mouth pipetting:

A)should be performed only if necessary and with extreme care.
B)can save valuable time and should be performed whenever quick results are needed.
C)is performed only when material is not expected to pose a biological hazard.
D)should not be performed in any circumstance in the clinical laboratory.

Question 19

Standard Precautions in the microbiology laboratory apply to:

A)all clinical specimens.
B)clinical specimens that contain blood or body fluids.
C)blood,body fluids,feces,sputum,saliva,urine,and vomitus.
D)only specimens that are visibly bloody.

Question 20

Working with biosafety Level 3 agents requires:

A)U.S.Department of Agriculture (USDA)credentials and a postgraduate degree in microbiology or a related field.
B)laboratory design features that control air movement.
C)personnel to wear protective clothing and devices and enter a decontaminating chamber before leaving.
D)workers to have blood samples routinely tested to rule out infection or contamination.

Question 21

The laboratory receives a blood soaked gauze pad with some tissue wrapped in it for culture in a sterile container.The proper disposal of the material will include:

A)placement in the appropriate biohazard container.
B)placement in the garbage as long as it is enclosed in the sterile container.
C)treatment with a disinfectant prior to disposal in the biohazard container.
D)placement in the appropriate biohazard container and sterilization for contamination with organic material.

Question 22

Biosafety Level 4 agents:

A)include those that are the common agents of infectious disease.
B)require only standard good laboratory technique.
C)include M.tuberculosis,M.gordonae,and Brucella.
D)require the use of maximum containment facilities.

Question 23

All laboratory and health care personnel are required to practice safety and utilize specific controls for the management and handling of infectious or potentially infectious materials.This is considered:

A)Exposure plan.
B)Standard Precautions.
C)Biosafety controls.
D)Isolation.

Question 24

Biosafety Level 2 agents:

A)include those that are the common agents of infectious disease.
B)require only standard good laboratory technique.
C)include M.tuberculosis,M.gordonae,and Brucella.
D)require the use of maximum containment facilities.

Question 25

During the process of phlebotomy,drawing a blood specimen from a patient,the action of cleaning the area on the skin prior to the insertion of the needle requires the application of a(n):

A)chemical sterilant.
B)bacteriostatic agent.
C)alcohol.
D)antiseptic.

Question 26

Class III biological safety cabinets:

A)sterilize the air as it passes over the material in the cabinet.
B)protect the environment from contamination by biological agents by filtering the air as it is exhausted from the cabinet.
C)are completely enclosed and have gloves that enable the worker to manipulate the material in the cabinet.
D)are often called laminar flow hoods.

Question 27

Applying a chemical to the surface of the laboratory bench to remove the contaminating microorganisms is considered:

A)sterilization.
B)disinfection.
C)decontamination.
D)pasteurization.

Question 28

The primary action in hand washing that prevents the distribution or transmission of microorganisms is:

A)the amount of soap used.
B)the temperature of the water.
C)the mechanical action of rubbing.
D)the chemical activities in the soap.

Question 29

The laboratory receives a bloody,tissue contaminated surgical forceps.Upon removal the laboratory should dispose of the instrument by:

A)placing in the biohazard container.
B)placing in a sharps container.
C)sending back to surgery for disposal.
D)ensuring proper return to surgery for chemical sterilization.

Question 30

Chemicals used for disinfection that are capable of disrupting cellular membranes and reduce the surface tension through cationic disruption of water molecules are termed:

A)alcohols.
B)bleach.
C)iodine or heavy metal compounds.
D)quaternary ammonium compounds.

Question 31

To be sterilized in an autoclave,media or instruments should be:

A)packed tightly to avoid dangerous pressure pockets.
B)processed for 15 minutes at 121°C and 15 psi pressure.
C)processed for 30 to 60 minutes at 132°C and 15 psi pressure.
D)processed for at least 1 hour at 121°C and 15 psi pressure.

Question 32

Minimal protection of specimen,personnel,and environment is accomplished with which class of biological safety cabinet?

A)Class I
B)Class II
C)Class III
D)Class IV

Question 33

The classification of Biological Agents and the use of safety precautions is based on all of the criteria listed except:

A)creation of aerosols during processing and infective dose.
B)availability of treatment.
C)the level of disease or seriousness of the infection.
D)the biological structure of the organism.

Question 34

Decontaminating and disinfecting surfaces may result in a decreased removal of contaminating organisms when used in combination.This is due to the fact that:

A)agents are all synergistic and should not be of concern in the laboratory.
B)agents mixed together may actually inactivate each other or create harmful chemicals resulting in additional hazards.
C)agents are antagonistic and will not be as effective.
D)agents are already premixed to maximize sterilization.

Question 35

When processing biologically contaminated specimens,the microbiologist is susceptible to exposure through all of the following except:

A)exposure through mucous membranes.
B)a break in the glove.
C)a cut on the patient's wrist.
D)breathing in aerosolized droplets.

Question 36

A new laboratory assistant was asked to disinfectant the laboratory bench where specimens are received and processed.The laboratory assistant used concentrated bleach to wipe down the laboratory bench.The discrepancy in this situation is:

A)the laboratory assistant forgot to rinse the laboratory bench after disinfecting it.
B)the laboratory assistant failed to wash the laboratory bench with soap prior to applying the bleach.
C)the laboratory assistant failed to use diluted 10% bleach,thinking that concentrated solution will result in improved disinfection of the bench.
D)the laboratory assistant followed proper procedure and there is no discrepancy.

Question 37

Alcohols are an effective chemical disinfectant due to their ability to:

A)digest proteins.
B)depurinate nucleic acids.
C)inhibit bacterial growth.
D)hydrolyze hydrogen bonds.