Urinalysis and Body Fluids 6th Edition by Majorie DiLorenzo, Susan Strasinger

Exercise 12

An employee who is accidentally exposed to a possible blood-borne pathogen should immediately:

A. Report to a supervisor

B. Flush the area with water

C. Clean the area with disinfectant

D. Receive HIV prophylaxis

Step 1 of 2

Blood-borne pathogens:

• Pathogens causes diseases through infection.

• Blood-borne pathogens survive in the blood of humans. They live and cause diseases to human beings.

o For examples: Hepatitis, Hepatitis C, and HIV (Human Immune deficiency Virus).

• All patients and employees in a laboratory are prone to blood borne pathogens as these pathogens are carried in needles, containers in the laboratory. Hence, safety measures have to be taken.

• In case of any accidental attack by the blood borne pathogens to an employee, he should first report to his supervisor rather than doing first aid to himself.

Therefore, if a possible blood-borne pathogen which is accidentally exposed to an employee he should “report to his supervisor immediately”. Hence, the correct answer is option.