Unit 3 Lesson 2: What are Bloodborne Pathogens?

Question 1

Some of the most common infections in the United States are hiding in many people’s

Answer 1

blood

Question 2

d. There are some very common diseases that often don’t cause any symptoms, sometimes for years, but can still be transmitted between people. Who’s at high risk for these diseases

Answer 2

Healthcare workers are at higher risk for these diseases because they come into contact with blood much more often than other professionals. But information is power, and knowing what these infections are is a first step to knowing how to protect yourself on the job and in the community.

Question 2

How do Bloodborne pathogens speread or get transfered

Answer 2

Bloodborne pathogens are pathogens that normally transfer from one person to another through contact with blood or other bodily fluids. Often, they can be transmitted when infected blood or bodily fluids touch a mucous membrane or an open cut. Any fluid that contains blood can transmit infection

Question 3

Microorganisms that are usually transmitted through blood and can cause disease in humans are called

Answer 3

bloodborne pathogens

Question 3

Bodily fluids that may contain pathogens include

Answer 3

blood, semen, vaginal secretions, non-intact skin, and various types of bodily tissues.

Question 4

These pathogens are generally not transmitted through

Answer 4

feces, sweat, nasal secretions, urine, tears, or vomit.

Question 5

Hepatitis B virus (HBV)

Answer 5

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes the disease we call hepatitis B, a serious infection of the liver.

Question 6

“hepatitis”

Answer 6

The word “hepatitis” means inflammation of the liver.

Question 7

Symptoms of HBV

Answer 7

Symptoms can include fever, jaundice, nausea, and abdominal pain, but it may take 1-9 months after exposure for symptoms to appear.

Question 8

Over a million people in the United States are infected with HBV, and many develop ? to HBV, which helps them recover.

Answer 8

antibodies

Question 8

IS there a cure for HBV

Answer 8

There is no cure for hepatitis B, and it can lead to cirrhosis or cancer of the liver.

Question 9

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HBV is a very durable virus what does that mean

Answer 9

. HBV is a very durable virus, and it can survive in dried blood for up to seven days, making it a major concern for laundry or custodial workers.

Question 10

Hepatitis C virus (HCV)

Answer 10

h causes the disease hepatitis C HCV can cause serious damage to the liver and even be fatal.

Question 11

The hepatitis B vaccine impact

Answer 11

The hepatitis B vaccine, which is offered to all workers at risk for exposure, has dramatically reduced the number of new cases of HBV in healthcare staff.

Question 12

Up to 80 percent of people who are infected with the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) show ? symptoms of the disease.

Answer 12

np

Question 13

What is the most common bloodborne infection in the US

Answer 13

HCV is the most common bloodborne infection in the United States,

Question 14

How many people that haceHCV recover without any treatment

Answer 14

approximately 1/4 of the people who are infected recover without any treatment.

Question 15

approximately 1/4 of the people who are infected recover without any treatment. What happens to the rest

Answer 15

Of the rest, many go on to have chronic infection, which can progress slowly for the first decade or two, producing no physical signs of illness.

Question 16

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Answer 16

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes AIDS, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome, though it can take many years for HIV infection to develop into full-blown AIDS

Question 17

What does HIV do to the immune system

Answer 17

. HIV attacks the immune system, weakening it so that opportunistic infections can harm the body.

Question 18

Sysmtpoms of HIV

Answer 18

. People may show no signs when infected but may develop swollen lymph nodes, fever, headache, or fatigue within a month or two of exposure.

Question 19

HIV is a fragile virus, what does that mean

Answer 19

HIV is a fragile virus, not able to survive for long outside the human body, but because there is no known cure for this debilitating disease, extreme caution to prevent exposure is warranted.

Question 20

Other diseases can spread in a healthcare setting through bloodborne transmission, but they are much less prevalent. There have been cases of transmission from patient contact of

Answer 20

malaria, tuberculosis, and herpes

Question 21

Bloodborne pathogens can spread in a number of ways, including direct contact with

Answer 21

blood or sexual contact. Using unclean needles for acupuncture, drug use, or tattooing can transmit the pathogens. S

Question 22

Sharing personal items with an infected person has transmitted the pathogens in some cases. What kind of personal items

Answer 22

. Sharing personal items like toothbrushes, razors, and nail clippers with an infected person has transmitted the pathogens in some cases.

Question 23

How does bloodbrone disease spread in residentital settings

Answer 23

In a residential setting, frequent close contact with someone who has hepatitis B can cause transmission.

Question 24

What actions don’t spread bloodborne infections?

Answer 24

Sharing a drinking fountain, a toilet, or a shower with an infected person does not transmit bloodborne pathogens. Touching an infected person does not cause infection. Sneezing or coughing cannot spread a bloodborne pathogen.

Question 25

When you use the standard precautions, you are protecting against bloodborne illnesses.

Answer 25

The precautions used to be called “universal” because you must always assume that a patient could be carrying a bloodborne pathogen—many people who are infected have no symptoms and therefore don’t have any idea that they might be infected. Thus, using standard precautions universally as a healthcare worker is the safest way to protect against these sometimes-deadly pathogens.

Question 26

In healthcare settings, the most common way bloodborne illnesses are spread is through accidental

Answer 26

needle sticks

Question 27

any contact with infected bodily fluids can transmit the pathogens.

Answer 27

If a worker has touched fluid that is infected, even with gloves on, and then touches their mouth, nose, or eyes, this could transmit a virus.

Question 28

Employers need to protect workers from bloodborne pathogens, as mandated by OSHA. The requirements for protections include:

Answer 28

Create an Exposure Control Plan Labels and Signs for Hazards Inform and Train Workers Standard (Universal) Precautions Engineering Controls Work Practice Controls Personal Protective Equipment Hepatitis B Vaccinations Post-exposure Evaluations

Question 29

Employers need to protect workers from bloodborne pathogens, as mandated by OSHA. The requirements for protections include: Create an Exposure Control Plan

Answer 29

Employers must have a written plan to eliminate or minimize exposure and should update it annually. This should include a list of tasks and procedures that risk exposure, and which jobs involve those tasks.

Question 30

Employers need to protect workers from bloodborne pathogens, as mandated by OSHA. The requirements for protections include:Labels and Signs for Hazards

Answer 30

Warning labels must be on containers of waste, sharps containers, refrigerators that contain blood or other fluids, contaminated equipment or laundry.

Question 31

Employers need to protect workers from bloodborne pathogens, as mandated by OSHA. The requirements for protections include: Standard (Universal) Precautions

Answer 31

Employers need to implement the standard precautions for handling all blood or possibly infected bodily fluids as if contaminated.

Question 32

Employers need to protect workers from bloodborne pathogens, as mandated by OSHA. The requirements for protections include: Inform and Train Workers

Answer 32

Workers need regular training on bloodborne pathogens and diseases, methods to control exposure, and post-exposure procedures.

Question 33

Employers need to protect workers from bloodborne pathogens, as mandated by OSHA. The requirements for protections include: Engineering Controls

Answer 33

Workers should use equipment engineered to help prevent exposure, such as sharps disposal containers, self-sheathing needles, and safer medical devices.

Question 34

Employers need to protect workers from bloodborne pathogens, as mandated by OSHA. The requirements for protections include: Work Practice Controls

Answer 34

Employees must implement ways of performing tasks to minimize risk of exposure. Practices may apply to the handling of sharps, specimens, laundry and surfaces.

Question 35

Employers need to protect workers from bloodborne pathogens, as mandated by OSHA. The requirements for protections include: Personal Protective Equipment

Answer 35

Employers must provide PPE such as gloves, gowns, eye protection, and masks at no cost to workers.

Question 36

Employers need to protect workers from bloodborne pathogens, as mandated by OSHA. The requirements for protections include: Hepatitis B Vaccinations

Answer 36

Employers must make HBV vaccinations available to all workers who might have workplace exposure.

Question 37

Employers need to protect workers from bloodborne pathogens, as mandated by OSHA. The requirements for protections include: Post-exposure Evaluations

Answer 37

For any exposure incident, employers must provide evaluation and follow-up care to workers at no cost. In addition, employers must keep records of all needle stick or other exposure incidents.