Which of the following actions is included in aseptic technique when a phlebotomist is performing a venipuncture on a patient?
Disposing of contaminated materials
Performing hand hygiene once daily
Completing quality control procedures
Cleansing skin with sodium hypochlorite
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A Reason:
Disposing of contaminated materials is a part of standard infection control practices. While it is important to dispose of materials that may be contaminated with blood or bodily fluids properly, this action is not specific to the aseptic technique used during venipuncture.
Choice B Reason:
Performing hand hygiene once daily is not sufficient for maintaining aseptic technique. Aseptic technique requires hand hygiene before and after each patient contact, especially before procedures like venipuncture to prevent the transmission of pathogens.
Choice C Reason:
Completing quality control procedures is an essential part of laboratory practice and patient safety but is not directly related to the aseptic technique of venipuncture. Quality control ensures the accuracy and reliability of test results rather than preventing infection.
Choice D Reason:
Cleansing the skin with sodium hypochlorite, or a similar disinfectant, is a critical step in aseptic technique for venipuncture. This action reduces the microbial load on the skin, thereby minimizing the risk of introducing pathogens into the bloodstream during needle insertion.
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Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Wiping the site with clean gauze after applying antiseptic is not recommended. This action can remove the antiseptic before it has had sufficient time to disinfect the area, potentially reintroducing bacteria to the site and increasing the risk of contamination.
Choice B Reason:
Allowing the site to air dry after applying antiseptic is the appropriate technique. This ensures that the antiseptic has enough contact time to effectively reduce microbial flora on the skin. Air drying also prevents any potential irritation that might be caused by wiping or touching the site before the venipuncture.
Choice C Reason:
Blowing on the site to speed up drying is not an appropriate technique. This can introduce bacteria from the breath to the clean site, which could lead to contamination and increase the risk of infection.
Choice D Reason:
Waving hands over the site is not an appropriate technique either. This action could potentially contaminate the site with bacteria or particles from the skin or the environment. It is also less effective in ensuring that the antiseptic has dried completely.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Neutralization typically involves a chemical reaction to render a substance harmless or inert. In the context of a blood spill, neutralization would not be the primary concern, as the goal is to eliminate any potential infectious agents, not just to neutralize them.
Choice B Reason:
Disinfection is the process of cleaning an area or surface to destroy or prevent the growth of disease-causing microorganisms. When dealing with a blood spill, disinfection is crucial to ensure that any bloodborne pathogens present are effectively killed, reducing the risk of infection transmission.
Choice C Reason:
Containment refers to the measures taken to control or limit something, in this case, a spill. While containment is an important initial step in managing a spill to prevent it from spreading, it is not the process that refers to the actual cleaning and elimination of pathogens.
Choice D Reason:
Sterilization is a process that destroys all forms of microbial life, including spores, usually through the application of heat, chemicals, or irradiation. While sterilization is a more extreme level of decontamination than disinfection, it is not typically used for routine cleaning of blood spills on counters.
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