Question 1

All of the following organisms can typically cause infection from aerosolization of specimens EXCEPT:
A) Mycobacterium tuberculosis
B) Brucella spp.
C) Staphylococcus aureus
D) Francisella tularensis

Accepted Answer

Many reported cases of laboratory workers being infected with M.tuberculosis after being exposed to aerosols when processing sputum specimens fill the literature.Brucella and F.tularensis are very infectious organisms and several cases a year are reported of laboratory workers who contract the disease after processing culture specimens.Cases of S.aureus infection of laboratory workers occur often,but not usually through aerosol inhalation.

Question 2

Work Practice Controls consist of all of the following EXCEPT:
A) Ensuring written procedures are in place for a task
B) Altering the manner in which a task is performed to reduce exposure to infectious agents
C) Allowing workers to eat at the bench if it gets busy and they don't have time to take a lunch break
D) Reviewing the procedure manual annually

Accepted Answer

Work practice controls consist of altering the manner in which a task is performed to reduce the likelihood of exposure to infectious agents.This is accomplished by no mouth pipetting; no eating,drinking,or applying cosmetics in the laboratory; disinfecting workstations at the end of each shift and after any spill of infectious material; no recapping or breaking of contaminated needles; disposal of needles in an appropriate puncture-resistant container; performing procedures in a manner to minimize splashing and the generation of air droplets; placing specimens for transport in well-constructed containers with secure lids to prevent leakage of infectious materials; and frequent handwashing.

Question 3

A Biosafety Level 1 (BSL-1)level of containment is used for organisms that:
A) Cause 90% mortality of infected people
B) Are well classified and not known to cause disease in healthy people
C) Cause 90% morbidity of infected people
D) Can be transmitted through aerosols

Accepted Answer

This is the lowest level of biosafety.These organisms pose a minimal threat to laboratory personnel and the environment.Lab work can be conducted on open bench tops.Employees should be trained in laboratory procedures and supervised by a scientist with training in microbiology.

Question 4

A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)contains all the following information EXCEPT:
A) The nature of a chemical (flammable, toxic, carcinogen)
B) General characteristics
C) Precautions when using a chemical
D) Classification of a chemical (acid, base, protein)

Accepted Answer

MSDSs document the nature of a chemical (flammable,toxic,carcinogen),general characteristics,precautions to take in using a chemical,emergency information,spill cleanup procedure,and disposal recommendations.

Question 5

The Biosafety Levels were categorized using all the following criteria EXCEPT:
A) The bacterial load necessary to cause infection
B) The organism's ability to cause serious illness
C) The organism's mode of transmission
D) Whether there is treatment available for an infection

Accepted Answer

The four Biosafety Levels were derived from categories of etiologic agents.These categories include the organism's ability to cause serious illness,the organism's mode of transmission,whether there is treatment available for infection,and whether there are any preventive measures,such as vaccines.Bacterial load was not a criterion.

Question 6

Engineering controls and work practice controls to ensure Standard Precautions are followed include all the following EXCEPT:
A) Eyewash stations
B) The use of safety needles
C) Plastic shield barriers
D) Fire blankets

Accepted Answer

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)defines engineering controls as controls that isolate or remove the hazard from the workplace.Some examples of engineering controls are the use of closed tube sampling by laboratory equipment,the use of safety needles and single-use holders,eyewash stations,emergency showers,and plastic shield barriers.Ideally laboratories should have negative air pressure,access to the laboratory should be limited,and there should be a plan to prevent insect infestation.

Question 7

Because Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3)organisms have the potential for aerosol transmission,and diseases with these agents may have serious lethal consequences,all of the following guidelines apply to BSL-3 labs EXCEPT:
A) BSL-3 labs should be separated from other parts of the building by an anteroom.
B) BSL-3 labs should have restricted access with logbook documentation of personnel entering and exiting lab.
C) BSL-3 labs should have solid ceiling and floor seams, and any seams must be sealed.
D) BSL-3 labs should have positive air pressure.

Accepted Answer

BSL-3 labs must follow BSL-2 safety guidelines and must also have a Class II or III biologic safety cabinet; must ensure that employees wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE); should be separated from the other parts of the building by an anteroom; should have negative air pressure and the air from inside the lab should be directed outside without recirculation; should have ceilings and floors that are solid and any seams sealed; and must be constructed so that all parts of the lab can be easily cleaned and disinfected.BSL-4 labs should have restricted access.

Question 8

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)requires laboratories to have this document to ensure that laboratory personnel have a thorough working knowledge of the hazards of the chemicals with which they work.
A) Chemical Control Plan
B) Standard Operating Procedures
C) Chemical Hygiene Plan
D) OSHA Compliance Plan

Accepted Answer

OSHA regulations require that employees compile a chemical hygiene plan that details the hazards of the chemicals used in the workplace.This plan must also contain a provision for hazardous communication training.

Question 9

Standard Precautions do not address the following:
A) Handwashing
B) Gloves
C) Lab coats
D) Respirators

Accepted Answer

To ensure the guidelines required in Standard Precautions are followed within the laboratory,engineering controls and work practice controls are instituted,and employers must provide personal protective equipment.Respirators are not included in the items addressed by Standard Precautions because they are used in a Biosafety Level 3 laboratory.

Question 10

A Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2)level of containment is used for organisms that:
A) Can cause a catastrophe if released
B) Usually cause 90% mortality in the population
C) Create a moderate potential hazard for employees and the environment
D) Do not cause significant harm to employees and the environment

Accepted Answer

These organisms pose a moderate hazard.Guidelines for laboratories that handle these agents include having a biosafety cabinet,limiting access to the laboratory when cultures are out,having employees receive immunizations for contact with possible pathogens,having an up-to-date biosafety manual,wearing personal protective equipment (PPE),and restricting use of sharp items to times when no alternative equipment can be used.

Question 11

If a laboratory uses hazardous chemicals,it must:
A) Keep a chemical inventory and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) on hand.
B) Keep chemicals in a special corrosive cabinet.
C) Keep chemicals in a special locking cabinet.
D) Post chemical names and locations on the door of the laboratory.

Accepted Answer

A lab must maintain a current inventory of hazardous chemicals,and the MSDSs for those particular chemicals according to 29 CFR Part 1910,Subpart2,Toxic and Hazardous Substances (OSHA).

Question 12

The Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)defines hazardous waste as:
A) Those wastes that present an aerosol, infectious, or sharps danger to laboratory and hospital personnel
B) Those substances that singly or in combination pose a significant present or potential threat or hazard to human health
C) Exotic and indigenous microorganisms and chemicals that present an infectious, explosive, corrosive, or irritant risk
D) All the following classes of substances: microorganisms, toxic chemicals, electricity, fire, and blood-borne pathogens

Accepted Answer

All anss except ans b are incomplete.ans b is the definition provided in the standard.

Question 13

The most common route of infection of laboratory workers with hepatitis B virus (HBV)and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)is:
A) Mucous membranes
B) Inhalation
C) Ingestion
D) Needlestick

Accepted Answer

HBV and HIV are blood-borne pathogens that are transmitted through exposure to blood and body fluids.Although infection through the mucous membranes has occurred,the most common route of infection of health care workers is through needlesticks where the organisms are introduced into the bloodstream.

Question 14

Processing of patient specimens and handling of actively growing cultures of microorganisms puts an employee at risk of potential contact with the infectious agent through all the following routes EXCEPT:
A) Mucous membranes
B) Blood splashed onto intact skin
C) Inhalation of aerosols
D) Accidental ingestion

Accepted Answer

When working with specimens and culture plates,there is little chance of contracting an infection if blood is splashed onto intact skin.Infection-through the mucous membranes by rubbing eyes with contaminated hands,from inhaling aerosolized microorganisms,or by accidental ingestion-is possible when handling specimens and actively growing culture plates.

Question 15

Technicians are doing the morning chemistry run.Once they load the specimens onto the instrument,they remove their gloves to do paperwork in a clean area of the laboratory.What should the technicians do after removing their gloves?
A) Reposition the tubes in the racks.
B) Take a break and eat a snack.
C) Call any critical values.
D) Wash their hands.

Accepted Answer

As soon as the gloves come off,the technicians must wash their hands to ensure that all potential pathogens are removed before the technicians touch inanimate objects in the clean area of the laboratory.

Question 16

All of the following are examples of personal protective equipment (PPE)EXCEPT:
A) Gloves
B) Lab coats
C) Safety glasses
D) Prescription glasses

Accepted Answer

PPE must be protective and appropriate.Blood and body fluids must not be able to penetrate the PPE material.Prescription glasses are not considered PPE because splashes of blood and body fluids can get to the eye by coming in around the sides,top,and bottom of the glasses.Safety glasses form a barrier where body fluids cannot come in around the sides,top,or bottom.

Question 17

The laboratory exposure control plan should contain all the following EXCEPT:
A) Engineer and work practice controls
B) Review of control plan every 5 years
C) Methods of compliance for Standard Precautions
D) Guidelines for handling and disposal of regulated waste

Accepted Answer

The exposure control plan is mandated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)to protect workers against blood-borne pathogens.This plan must be reviewed and updated annually.It must contain a determination of tasks and procedures that may result in an occupational hazard,a plan to investigate all exposure incidents and a plan to prevent these from reoccurring,methods of compliance for Standard Precautions,engineering and work practice controls,personal protective equipment,guidelines for ensuring that the work site is maintained in a clean and sanitary manner,guidelines for handling and disposal of regulated waste,and a training program for all employees (OSHA Bloodborne Standards).

Question 18

What protective measures can a laboratory worker take when working with actively growing cultures to ensure that they do not become infected?
A) Ensure that fungal cultures are sealed and worked in a biosafety cabinet.
B) Wash their hands at the end of their shift.
C) Handle specimens routinely, using extra care for HIV and HBV cultures.
D) Take off bandages on fingers when reading plates.

Accepted Answer

Fungal cultures produce many infectious spores that can disseminate rapidly via the ventilation system if a plate is opened on the bench in a laboratory.These cultures should always be handled in a biosafety cabinet.Bench techs should wash their hands frequently to ensure the number of pathogenic microorganisms on their hands is always low.All specimens should be handled as though they are HBV and HIV positive-with extreme care.Cuts on the hand should always be covered by finger cots or gloves.

Question 19

Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4)organisms are dangerous,exotic,and pose an increased risk of aerosol-transmitted infections and life-threatening disease.Two examples of BSL-4 organisms are:
A) Smallpox and Ebola
B) St. Louis encephalitis virus and Coccidioides immitis
C) Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Ebola
D) Francisella tularensis and Ebola

Accepted Answer

St.Louis encephalitis virus,M.tuberculosis,and F.tularensis are all BSL-3 organisms.The only two BSL-4 organisms are smallpox and Ebola.

Question 20

Universal/Standard Precautions require that:
A) Only some body fluids be considered infectious and capable of transmitting disease
B) Body fluids with visible blood be treated as noninfectious
C) Blood and body fluids from all patients be considered infectious and capable of transmitting disease
D) Urine and feces be considered noninfectious

Accepted Answer

Anything that comes from a patient is capable of transmitting disease.Blood and all body fluids,including secretions and excretions,except sweat,regardless of whether visible blood is present,are considered infectious.

Quiz 4: Control of Microorganisms

All of the following organisms can typically cause infection from aerosolization of specimens EXCEPT:

Work Practice Controls consist of all of the following EXCEPT:

A Biosafety Level 1 (BSL-1) level of containment is used for organisms that:

A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) contains all the following information EXCEPT:

The Biosafety Levels were categorized using all the following criteria EXCEPT:

Engineering controls and work practice controls to ensure Standard Precautions are followed include all the following EXCEPT:

Because Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) organisms have the potential for aerosol transmission,and diseases with these agents may have serious lethal consequences,all of the following guidelines apply to BSL-3 labs EXCEPT:

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires laboratories to have this document to ensure that laboratory personnel have a thorough working knowledge of the hazards of the chemicals with which they work.

Standard Precautions do not address the following:

A Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) level of containment is used for organisms that:

If a laboratory uses hazardous chemicals,it must:

The Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) defines hazardous waste as:

The most common route of infection of laboratory workers with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is:

Processing of patient specimens and handling of actively growing cultures of microorganisms puts an employee at risk of potential contact with the infectious agent through all the following routes EXCEPT:

Technicians are doing the morning chemistry run.Once they load the specimens onto the instrument,they remove their gloves to do paperwork in a clean area of the laboratory.What should the technicians do after removing their gloves?

All of the following are examples of personal protective equipment (PPE) EXCEPT:

The laboratory exposure control plan should contain all the following EXCEPT:

What protective measures can a laboratory worker take when working with actively growing cultures to ensure that they do not become infected?

Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4) organisms are dangerous,exotic,and pose an increased risk of aerosol-transmitted infections and life-threatening disease.Two examples of BSL-4 organisms are:

Universal/Standard Precautions require that: