When a phlebotomist's hands are visibly soiled with blood or body fluids, which of the following decontamination agents should the phlebotomist use to clean them?
Alcohol-based hand rub
Sterile water rinse
Soap and water
Alcohol rinse
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason:
An alcohol-based hand rub is generally used for hand hygiene when the hands are not visibly soiled. It is effective against many types of microbes but is not the best option for hands that are visibly dirty or contaminated with proteinaceous materials, such as blood or body fluids. The CDC recommends washing hands with soap and water in these situations.
Choice B reason:
Sterile water rinse alone is not sufficient for cleaning hands that are visibly soiled. While sterile water can be used to rinse off debris, it does not have the cleaning or antimicrobial properties necessary to properly decontaminate the hands.
Choice C reason:
Soap and water are the recommended decontamination agents when hands are visibly soiled with blood or body fluids. The physical action of handwashing, combined with the detergent properties of soap, effectively removes soil and transient microorganisms. The CDC guidelines specifically state that hands should be washed with soap and water when they are visibly dirty or contaminated with proteinaceous materia.
Choice D reason:
An alcohol rinse, similar to an alcohol-based hand rub, is not adequate for cleaning visibly soiled hands. Alcohol is a disinfectant that is effective against many germs when used on clean hands but does not remove visible dirt or organic material well.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Anchoring a vein is a technique used to stabilize the vein during venipuncture to prevent it from rolling. The recommended practice is to anchor the vein 1 to 2 inches below the puncture site. This is done by applying gentle traction on the skin downward with the thumb, which helps to stabilize the vein and facilitate the insertion of the needle.
Choice B Reason:
Anchoring 1 to 2 inches above the puncture site is not the standard practice. This position would not provide the necessary tension on the vein to prevent it from rolling and could make the venipuncture more difficult.
Choice C Reason:
Anchoring 2 inches left of the puncture site does not provide the correct angle or tension for stabilizing the vein for a venipuncture and is not a recommended technique.
Choice D Reason:
Anchoring 1 inch right of the puncture site is also not a recommended practice. Similar to anchoring to the left, this does not provide the proper stabilization needed for a successful venipuncture.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Hemostasis is the process of blood clotting and the cessation of bleeding. While it is a desired outcome following any puncture, squeezing the puncture site would not typically cause hemostasis as a complication. It is the body's natural response to injury to prevent excessive blood loss.
Choice B Reason:
Hemolysis refers to the rupture of red blood cells, which can occur when excessive pressure is applied to a puncture site during a capillary blood collection. This pressure can cause the cells to burst, releasing their contents into the plasma, which can interfere with various laboratory tests and lead to inaccurate results.
Choice C Reason:
Homeostasis is the body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment despite changes in external conditions. It is not a complication but rather a regulatory process. Squeezing a puncture site does not directly relate to homeostasis as a complication.
Choice D Reason:
Hypobilirubinemia is a condition where there is less than the normal amount of bilirubin in the blood. It is not a complication associated with squeezing a puncture site. Bilirubin levels are typically affected by liver function and red blood cell breakdown, not by the mechanical action of squeezing a site.
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