Your patient who had AIDS/HIV has just died. Should you still use standard precautions as you provide post-mortem care?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Yes, you should still use standard precautions even after an HIV/AIDS patient has died. The virus can remain infectious after death, and healthcare workers need to protect themselves from potential exposure. Choice B is incorrect because while respect is important, the primary reason for using standard precautions is to prevent transmission of infectious diseases. Choice C is incorrect as the virus can still be transmissible even after the patient's death. Choice D is incorrect as using standard precautions is a matter of infection control, not a question of respect.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: When collecting a sputum specimen, it is crucial to protect against potential airborne droplets that may spread disease. The best personal protective equipment for this task includes gloves and a face mask. Gloves help prevent the spread of contaminants through hand contact, while a face mask protects the respiratory tract from inhaling infectious agents. Choice B, Level Three Biocontainment uniforms, is excessive and unnecessary for routine sputum specimen collection. Choice C, eye protection and shoe covers, does not address the specific risks associated with sputum collection. Choice D, splash shield and face mask, provides additional protection that is not typically required for sputum specimen collection, making it less appropriate than gloves and a face mask.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Surgical asepsis refers to the process of maintaining a sterile environment to prevent the introduction of pathogens to a patient's body. Sterilizing instruments is a crucial aspect of surgical asepsis as it ensures that the instruments used during procedures are free from microorganisms that could cause infections. Wiping down exam tables with bleach may help in cleaning and disinfecting surfaces but does not pertain directly to maintaining a sterile field. Changing table paper is important for cleanliness and infection control but is not specifically related to surgical asepsis. Wearing gloves when performing injections is important for standard precautions and preventing the spread of infection but does not encompass the concept of surgical asepsis, which focuses on maintaining a sterile field during invasive procedures.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The most effective step in hand washing is using friction to remove potential pathogens. While using soap, moisturizing hands, and washing for a sufficient duration are important aspects of hand hygiene, the mechanical action of rubbing hands together with friction is crucial in dislodging and removing dirt, debris, and potential pathogens. Hospital-grade soap may be beneficial, but the physical act of friction is key to effective hand washing. Moisturizing after washing is important for skin health but not the most effective step in the hand washing process. Simply washing hands for a specific duration, such as 15 seconds, without proper friction may not effectively remove contaminants. Therefore, using friction for thorough cleaning is the most crucial step in hand washing.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: MSDS sheets, also known as Materials Safety Data Sheets, are essential documents that provide detailed information about chemicals used in the workplace. They are required by OSHA to be easily accessible to all employees to ensure they have the necessary information to handle chemicals safely. MSDS sheets do not contain ordering information for equipment in the office (Choice A) or serve as a treatment guide for injured patients (Choice C). Therefore, the correct answer is that MSDS sheets are required by OSHA to be accessible to all employees of the office.