At 02:15, a technologist working alone on the night shift is stuck in the finger by a butterfly needle left on a phlebotomy tray after a draw on an emergency department patient. The source patient's HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C status are unknown, and the wound bleeds slightly. She completed hepatitis B vaccination and has a documented anti-HBs response. A colleague on the phone advises her to squeeze blood out of the wound, soak the finger in bleach and see occupational health when it opens at 08:00. She should:

Wash with soap and water, and report it immediately

Soak the finger in bleach, and report it immediately

Squeeze out blood, and report when occupational health opens

Wash with soap and water, and report it at 08:00

A coworker is gripping an analyzer that has a frayed power cord and appears to be receiving an electric shock. The first action is to:

Switch off the power at the source

Start chest compressions at once

Pull the coworker away by the arm

A technologist has a deep needlestick from a needle just used on a patient. Occupational health judges HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) indicated, but the source patient's HIV result will take 2 days. The best approach is to:

Start PEP now and stop it if the source tests negative

Wait for symptoms in the worker and then begin PEP

Start PEP only if the worker's baseline is positive

Wait for the source result before starting PEP

Serum splashes into a technologist's eye while she uncaps a tube. After flushing the eye at the eyewash station, what should she do next?

Report it at once for medical evaluation

Wait to see whether redness or pain develops

Finish the run and report it at shift end

Report it only if the source patient is HIV positive

In the RACE plan for a laboratory fire, the first step is to:

Rescue anyone in immediate danger

Contain the fire by closing doors

Extinguish the fire if it is small

Emergency procedures (needlesticks, splashes, fire)

8 ASCP MLS practice questions on Emergency procedures (needlesticks, splashes, fire), part of Laboratory Operations. The first 8 are below; the first 5 with answers and explanations (tap Show answer after you have chosen), the rest in Learn with a free account.

Question 1 · Hard
At 02:15, a technologist working alone on the night shift is stuck in the finger by a butterfly needle left on a phlebotomy tray after a draw on an emergency department patient. The source patient's HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C status are unknown, and the wound bleeds slightly. She completed hepatitis B vaccination and has a documented anti-HBs response. A colleague on the phone advises her to squeeze blood out of the wound, soak the finger in bleach and see occupational health when it opens at 08:00. She should:
1. AWash with soap and water, and report it immediately
2. BSoak the finger in bleach, and report it immediately
3. CSqueeze out blood, and report when occupational health opens
4. DWash with soap and water, and report it at 08:00
Show answerHide answer
Answer: A · Wash with soap and water, and report it immediately
The first action is to wash the puncture with soap and running water; there is no evidence that squeezing the wound or applying antiseptics lowers the risk, and caustic agents such as bleach injure the skin. The exposure must then be reported at once through the after-hours route, often the emergency department, so the source patient can be tested and HIV post-exposure prophylaxis, if indicated, can start within hours. Her documented anti-HBs response means she needs no hepatitis B prophylaxis, but the HIV and HCV risks remain. The incident should be documented, and the needle left on the tray reported as a sharps-safety failure.
- B: Bleach and other caustic agents damage the skin and are not recommended for wounds.
- C: Squeezing does not lower the risk of infection, and waiting until 08:00 delays any PEP.
- D: Her HBV immunity does not cover HIV or HCV, and an HIV PEP decision cannot wait 6 hours.
Question 2 · Medium
A coworker is gripping an analyzer that has a frayed power cord and appears to be receiving an electric shock. The first action is to:
1. AStart chest compressions at once
2. BThrow water over the analyzer
3. CPull the coworker away by the arm
4. DSwitch off the power at the source
Show answerHide answer
Answer: D · Switch off the power at the source
A person in contact with a live circuit can pass the current to anyone who touches them. The rescuer first cuts the power at the switch, plug or circuit breaker; if that is impossible, the victim is pushed clear with a dry, non-conducting object such as a wooden broom handle. Once the circuit is broken, help is called and CPR is started if the person is not breathing normally. The faulty analyzer is then taken out of service and tagged.
- A: CPR starts only after the current is cut and the person is safe to touch.
- B: Water conducts electricity and spreads the hazard.
- C: Touching the victim while current flows can shock the rescuer too.
Question 3 · Hard
A technologist has a deep needlestick from a needle just used on a patient. Occupational health judges HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) indicated, but the source patient's HIV result will take 2 days. The best approach is to:
1. AWait for symptoms in the worker and then begin PEP
2. BStart PEP only if the worker's baseline is positive
3. CWait for the source result before starting PEP
4. DStart PEP now and stop it if the source tests negative
Show answerHide answer
Answer: D · Start PEP now and stop it if the source tests negative
PEP works best when started as soon as possible, ideally within hours, so it is not delayed while the source patient's result is pending. If the source then tests HIV negative, PEP is stopped. The worker's baseline HIV test shows only whether infection was present before the exposure; a positive baseline calls for treatment, not prophylaxis. Follow-up testing of the worker continues for several months.
- A: PEP is meant to start within hours of exposure; waiting for symptoms defeats its purpose.
- B: A positive baseline means existing infection, which needs treatment rather than prophylaxis.
- C: Waiting 2 days loses much of the benefit of PEP, which is greatest within hours.
Question 4 · Medium
Serum splashes into a technologist's eye while she uncaps a tube. After flushing the eye at the eyewash station, what should she do next?
1. AWait to see whether redness or pain develops
2. BReport it at once for medical evaluation
3. CFinish the run and report it at shift end
4. DReport it only if the source patient is HIV positive
Show answerHide answer
Answer: B · Report it at once for medical evaluation
A splash of blood or serum onto a mucous membrane is an exposure incident, just like a needlestick. It must be reported immediately so that occupational health can assess the source patient, test the worker and offer prophylaxis if needed. HIV post-exposure prophylaxis works best when started within hours. The incident is documented, and its cause, here uncapping without face protection or a splash shield, is reviewed.
- A: Infection risk does not depend on eye symptoms.
- C: Delaying the report delays assessment and any prophylaxis.
- D: The source patient's status is often unknown and must be checked by occupational health.
Question 5 · Easy
In the RACE plan for a laboratory fire, the first step is to:
1. AContain the fire by closing doors
2. BActivate the fire alarm
3. CExtinguish the fire if it is small
4. DRescue anyone in immediate danger
Show answerHide answer
Answer: D · Rescue anyone in immediate danger
RACE stands for Rescue, Alarm, Contain, and Extinguish or Evacuate. The first priority is to move anyone in immediate danger away from the fire. The alarm is then raised and the fire is confined by closing doors. A small fire may be put out with the correct extinguisher only after these steps, and only by trained staff with a clear exit.
- A: Closing doors to contain the fire is the third step.
- B: Raising the alarm is the second step, after rescue.
- C: Extinguishing comes last and only for small fires.
Question 6 · Hard
About 500 mL of concentrated hydrochloric acid splashes over a technologist's lab coat, trousers and legs. The best first action is to:
1. ABlot the acid off with paper towels before rinsing
2. BNeutralize the acid on the skin with sodium bicarbonate
3. CUse the safety shower and remove soaked clothing while flushing
4. DRinse the legs briefly at a sink, then cover with dressings
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 7 · Easy
When a portable fire extinguisher is used by the PASS method, the nozzle is aimed at:
1. AThe middle of the flames
2. BThe top of the flames
3. CThe base of the flames
4. DThe smoke above the fire
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 8 · Medium
What is the first action after a chemical splash to the eyes?
1. AWait for a supervisor before acting
2. BFlush at an eyewash for at least 15 minutes
3. CNeutralize the chemical with a dilute base
4. DRub the eyes to remove the chemical
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account

Emergency procedures (needlesticks, splashes, fire)

A coworker is gripping an analyzer that has a frayed power cord and appears to be receiving an electric shock. The first action is to:

A technologist has a deep needlestick from a needle just used on a patient. Occupational health judges HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) indicated, but the source patient's HIV result will take 2 days. The best approach is to:

Serum splashes into a technologist's eye while she uncaps a tube. After flushing the eye at the eyewash station, what should she do next?

In the RACE plan for a laboratory fire, the first step is to:

About 500 mL of concentrated hydrochloric acid splashes over a technologist's lab coat, trousers and legs. The best first action is to:

When a portable fire extinguisher is used by the PASS method, the nozzle is aimed at:

What is the first action after a chemical splash to the eyes?