Chapter Twenty-Four – BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS AND BACTERIAL HAZARDS IN
THE WORKPLACE
TRUE OR FALSE: Place T or F in the space provided.
_____1. Any act in which body uids are exchanged can result in infection if
either partner is infected.
_____2. HIV may be transmitted by giving blood.
_____3. According to the Centers for Disease Control, there is no single test
that can reliably diagnose AIDS.
_____4. Safety and health professionals should be familiar with the legal
considerations relating to AIDS in the workplace.
_____5. Hepatitis B is caused by a double-shelled virus.
_____6. AIDS was ,rst reported in the US in mid-1971.
_____7. The OSH Act prohibits employers from retaliating against an
employee who refuses to work in an environment he or she believes may be
unhealthy.
_____8. AIDS testing is mandatory throughout today’s industry.
_____9. The purpose of an AIDS education program is to deal with the disease
in a positive, proactive manner that is in the best interest of the company
and its employees.
_____10. HBV poses more of a problem for safety personnel than HIV.
_____11. MRSA is a potentially life-threatening infection caused by bacteria
that mutate.
MULTIPLE CHOICE: Circle the letter before the correct answer.
1. Safety and health professionals should be familiar with which of the
following factors?
A. Applicable state and federal laws
B. Case law from civil suits
C. Company policy
D. All of the above
2. Which of the following purposes does a well-planned AIDS education
program serve?
A. Gives management the facts needed to develop policy
B. Results in changes in behavior
C. Prepares employees to respond appropriately
D. All of the above
3. A corporate AIDS policy should have which of the following components?
A. Employee rights
B. Testing
C. Education
D. All of the above
4. HIV-positive employees should receive which of the following from the
company?
A. Dismissal/termination
B. Isolation from other employees
C. Allow them to work/perform job
D. Avoid any contact with employee
5. From the following, select the method by which the AIDS virus may be
transmitted.
A. Sexual contact
B. Blood contact
C. Mother-to-child
D. All of the above
6. Which of the following is not an event that has led to the emergence of
MRSA?
A. Bacteria are able to mutate
B. Antibiotics have been over prescribed
C. Proliferation of bacterial soaps
D. Bacteria proliferation caused by global warming
11. T
6. D
Chapter Twenty-Four – Bloodborne Pathogens and Bacterial Hazards
1. What does the acronym AIDS mean?
2. List ,ve symptoms of AIDS.
3. What are the three known ways AIDS is transmitted?
4. List the groups of people who are considered high risk with regard to AIDS.
5. List ,ve ways AIDS is not transmitted.
6. Describe the ways in which AIDS is having an impact in the workplace.
7. Briey explain the minimum components of a corporate AIDS policy.
8. Explain how the following legal concepts relate to AIDS; otherwise
qualified, essential functions, reasonable accommodations.
9. Briey explain both sides of the AIDS testing controversy.
10. What are the most widely used HIV antibody tests for screening and
con,rming AIDS?
11. Name four purposes a well-planned AIDS education program can serve.
12. How should a safety and health professional proceed when confronted by
an employee who thinks he or she has AIDS?
13. Briey explain the steps a company can take to alleviate the fears of
employees about AIDS.
14. Explain how OSHA categorizes work tasks relative to exposure to HIV
infection.
15. List four ways any person can guard against contracting AIDS.
16. How can CPR be administered safely?
17. Explain why HBV poses more of a problem for safety personnel than HIV
does.
18. Explain the primary prevention strategies for HCV.
19. What are the recommended steps in a needlestick prevention program?