Minimizing Exposure to BBP
True or False:
According to the CDC used needles should never be recapped, purposely bent, or broken by hand to prevent a needle stick injury and exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
True.
True or False:
You must look at the expiration date of the vaccine you are preparing prior to administration.
True.
You must never give a vaccine past the expiration date or it will be considered invalid and must be repeated.
What is the preferred site to administered a SQ injection for clients 12 months of age and older?
Upper outer triceps.
What is the first step to take after a needle stick injury?
Wash the area right away with soap and water. Do not scrub aggressively, and do not milk or squeeze the wound.
True or False:
It is okay to prepare and draw up vaccines 1-2 hour prior to a large clinic and store properly to prepare for a large clinic.
False.
According to the CDC, it is recommended to only prepare and draw up vaccines just prior to administration. General-use syringes are designed for immediate administration - not for storage and can cause contamination and microorganism growth with pre-drawn vaccine.
Where should you dispose of needles and syringes after use with a client?
Bonus for 100: what should be on a label to indicate it is for disposing of the needles or syringes?
A sharps container.
Bonus: According to OSHA standard, a sharps container must be labeled with the universal biohazard symbol and the word "BIOHAZARD."
With the 5 "Rights" of Medications/Vaccines, what is left out?
1. Right Patient 2. Right Medication/Vaccine 3. Right Dose/Vaccine 4. Right Route/Site 5.?
The Right Time or timing of the vaccine.
What is the appropriate needle gauge and length for an infant 1 month-11 months of age when administering a vaccine?
22-25 gauge and 1 inch
True or False?
It is okay to let the Source Client leave the building and not ask them to collect blood specimens. It is embarrassing. After figure out the protocols, can call the Source Client back.
False
Do not let the source client leave if this is possible. Discuss with the client the need to collect specimens and obtain a consent if the client is willing. Provide the Source client a handout on Exposure to Blood or OPIM and discuss. Collect specimens. Code word and document.
True or False:
It is okay to give a vaccine in the dorsogluteal site?
False.
The dorsogluteal site reduces vaccine effectiveness, increases local reactions, has demonstrated poorer antibody responses, and there is too much fat tissue than the deltoid or vastus lateralis muscle which increases vaccine effectiveness.
True or False:
Activating a safety device immediately after use is not required.
False.
The safety devise must be activated immediately after use.
True or False:
You can let a 4 year old child sit by themself for the 4 year old vaccines. Mom said they will be brave.
False.
It is very important according to the CDC to use safe hold techniques for children to prevent injury, ensure the vaccine is given correctly, reduce fear and distress, avoid having to repeat doses, and to protect both the client and healthcare worker from accidental needle-sticks.
Once a child is older than 2 years of age, what are the recommendations for an IM injection?
The deltoid muscle may be used if muscle mass is adequate. If the muscle mass is not adequate, continue to use the anterolateral thigh.
The OraQuick Rapid HIV 1/2 was completed and was negative. What is the next step for HIV testing?
Provide the source client with the results of the rapid HIV antibody test as non-reactive or negative at this time and no further follow-up is necessary for HIV.
True or False:
IPV can be administered subcutaneously (SQ) or intramuscular (IM).
True.
Either is acceptable.
Where should a sharps container be placed when administering an injection?
According to the CDC and OSHA, a sharps container must be placed as close as feasible to the immediate area of use—ideally within arm's reach of the person giving the injection.
True or False:
It is never okay to freeze a diluent.
True.
Refer to Physician Approved Protocols 2026, Immunizations, Vaccines with Diluent, 2026. This provides guidance for Diluent.
True or False:
5/8 inch is the correct needle length for all subcutaneous injections.
True.
True or False:
I do not really have to do much with an Occupational Exposure incident. That is not what the client was here for.
False.
It is still extremely important to provide client centered prevention counseling on the blood work collected, collect the consent information, and provide the education form. If the client comes back positive for any of the blood-work collected, further referrals will have to be provided.
True or False:
You must aspirate (pull back on the plunger) to check for blood when giving a vaccine.
False.
According to the CDC it is not necessary to aspirate when giving vaccines due to no major blood vessels at recommended injection sites, it does not improve safety, it can increase pain, and it may increase movement risk, especially with a child.
True or False:
My workstation is very small, so occasionally I have to place the sharps container on the floor, and I have been told this is okay just during certain visits.
False.
According to the CDC and OSHA, sharps are never to be placed on the ground or floor.
True or False:
On a Multi-Dose Vial, partial doses from two or more vials should never be combined to make a dose of vaccine.
True.
This must not be done due to the risk of contamination introducing bacteria from other vials that could expose a client to infection. CDC prohibits combining doses.
For a male over 260 pounds and administering an IM vaccine, what would be best practice needle length?
1.5 inches
Body weight and subcutaneous fat layer over the deltoid becomes thicker. Therefore the standard 1 inch needle may not reliably reach the muscle. The vaccine will stay in the fat layer instead of the muscle reducing immune response, local irritation, pain and affect absorption consistency. This is why 1.5 inches is needed.
True or False:
A student gets a splash in the eye while drawing blood in the clinic setting. The student immediately begins to flush the eye. The health department is responsible to pay for the student's bloodborne pathogen injury.
False.
Students are not considered employees of OSDH while participating in a training or educational event. OSDH shall ensure students are aware of policies and procedure and how to responds should an exposure occur as well as training procedures prior to working in the clinic setting . The student shall follow their universities guidelines on how to respond in this event.
True or False:
You must disinfect the vial stopper with 70% isopropyl alcohol using friction for about 10-15 seconds and allow it to air dry completely before inserting the needle to draw up the vaccine.
True.
Not completing these steps can cause re-contamination from handling, air exposure, or repeated needle entry. Organisms can survive on the surface and be carried into the vial by the needle. Disinfection reduces the risk of introducing bacteria passing through a contaminated stopper into the vial.