BIOHAZARD & MEDICAL WASTE
What does RMW stand for?
Regulated Medical Waste
Why should jewelry be kept to a minimum in healthcare settings?
Microorganisms can lodge in grooves and crevices.
Where should contaminated sharps be placed immediately after use?
In a puncture-resistant, leak-proof sharps container.(Sharps container)
What does OPIM stand for?
Other Potentially Infectious Materials.
What is the body's largest and most important defense mechanism against microorganisms?
The skin.
What color should a biohazard warning label be?
Fluorescent orange or orange-red.
What should you do immediately after removing gloves?
Sanitize your hands.
If a noncontaminated or contaminated needle must be recapped, what technique should be used?
A one-handed scooping technique.
What are the two general categories of microorganisms found on the hands?
Resident flora and transient flora.
What do mucus and cilia do?
Mucus traps microorganisms and cilia move pathogens toward the outside of the body.
What word must appear on a biohazard warning label?
BIOHAZARD.
If blood or OPIM gets into the eyes, mouth, or nose, what should you do?
Flush the area with water as soon as possible for 15–20 minutes.(First Aid)
How full should a sharps container be before it is replaced?
About three-quarters full. Or to the fill line only
What does OSHA stand for?
Occupational Safety & Health Administration.
What type of infection originates outside the body?
Exogenous infection.
Where must biohazard labels be placed?
On regulated waste containers, refrigerators/freezers storing blood or OPIM, and containers/bags used to store, transport, or ship blood or OPIM.
Why should gloves be the correct size?
Gloves that are too small may rip, while gloves that are too large make tasks difficult.
What should you NEVER do with a contaminated sharps container?
Never open, empty, or clean it
What principle states that all human blood and certain body fluids should be treated as though they are infectious?
Universal Precautions.
What type of infection occurs when the body's defenses are weak?
Opportunistic infection.
Why are biohazard labels required?
To alert employees to possible exposure, especially when the nature of the material is not readily identifiable.
What is one major advantage of wearing gloves?
They reduce hand contamination and help prevent cross-contamination.
What position should a sharps container be maintained in?
Upright
What is a susceptible host?
A person who is capable of being infected by a pathogen.
Name three bloodborne pathogens listed in the PowerPoint.
Hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV.