Specimen Collection Safety Precautions

What is the purpose of wearing gloves during specimen collection?

• To improve grip on the specimen

• To prevent contamination and protect against infections.

• To keep hands warm

• To make the collection process faster

Why is it important to properly label specimen containers?

• To make the containers look more organized

• To confuse laboratory staff and create chaos

• To save money on labeling materials

• To ensure accurate identification and tracking of samples, prevent mix-ups, ensure proper handling and storage, and allow for easy retrieval and traceability of specimens.

What is the correct procedure for disposing of used needles?

• Throw them in the regular trash

• Flush them down the toilet

• Leave them lying around for someone else to deal with

• Used needles should be placed in a puncture-resistant container and disposed of through a medical waste disposal service or a community needle disposal program.

Why should you avoid touching the inside of specimen containers?

• To reduce the cost of laboratory equipment

• To save time during the testing process

• To prevent damage to the specimen

• To avoid contamination and maintain the accuracy of test results.

What are the potential risks of not following proper hand hygiene before and after specimen collection?

• Decreased risk of healthcare-associated infections

• The potential risks of not following proper hand hygiene before and after specimen collection include the spread of infections, contamination of specimens, inaccurate test results, and increased risk of healthcare-associated infections.

• Reduced spread of infections

• Improved accuracy of test results

What precautions should be taken when handling potentially infectious specimens?

• Skip hand washing after handling specimens to save time

• Wear appropriate PPE, use leak-proof containers labeled with biohazard symbols, transport specimens safely, and wash hands thoroughly after handling.

• Use containers without biohazard symbols to avoid drawing attention

• Handle specimens with bare hands and dispose of them in regular trash cans

Why is it necessary to use personal protective equipment (PPE) during specimen collection?

• To prevent contamination of the specimen.

• To comply with regulations and guidelines.

• To improve the efficiency of specimen collection.

• To protect healthcare workers from potential exposure to infectious materials.

What are the steps to ensure the safety of both the healthcare worker and the patient during specimen collection?

• Wear PPE, disinfect area and equipment, position patient properly, label and transport specimen following standard protocols.

• Follow non-standard protocols for labeling and transporting specimen

• Position patient improperly and transport specimen without labeling

• Skip wearing PPE and disinfecting equipment

What should be done if a specimen container breaks or leaks during collection?

• Place the broken or leaking container in a leak-proof secondary container and dispose of it according to biohazard waste disposal guidelines.

• Leave the broken or leaking container as it is and continue using it for collection.

• Seal the broken or leaking container with tape and continue using it for collection.

• Throw the broken or leaking container in a regular trash bin without any precautions.

Why is it important to follow standard precautions when handling all specimens?

• To save time and effort

• To make the specimens look cleaner

• To prevent transmission of diseases and protect both the healthcare worker and the patient from potential infections.

• To increase the chances of finding new diseases