Which of the following refers to the process of cleaning up a blood specimen spill on a counter?

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.

Choice A reason:
The high pressure in the arterial system is not a factor in the filling of blood collection tubes during venipuncture. Arterial blood is not typically collected using evacuated tubes; these are used for venous blood collection, where the pressure is lower.

Choice B reason:
While the venous system does have pressure that aids in blood flow, it is not the high pressure that causes blood collection tubes to fill. Venous pressure is relatively low compared to arterial pressure, and on its own, it is not sufficient to fill the vacuum tubes used in venipuncture.

Choice C reason:
The positive pressure created by the tourniquet can help engorge the veins, making them easier to access, but it does not directly cause the blood collection tubes to fill. The tourniquet's role is to assist in vein visualization and palpation rather than in the filling of the tube.

Choice D reason:
The negative pressure within the tube is the correct factor that causes blood collection tubes to fill during venipuncture. When the needle punctures the patient's vein and then the tube stopper, the vacuum in the tube pulls blood into it until the vacuum is exhausted or the tube is filled. This is why it is essential not to allow the tube contents to contact the stopper, as backflow into the venous system can cause adverse reactions.