CSPD CST Chapter 21

It is important to report any injury, regardless of how insignificant it may seem. Even small injuries can have underlying complications or develop into more serious issues over time. Reporting all injuries allows for proper documentation, evaluation, and treatment if necessary. Additionally, reporting injuries helps to identify potential hazards or patterns that may need to be addressed to prevent future incidents. Therefore, the statement that there is no need to report an injury if it seems insignificant is false.

Healthcare workers have a duty to report incidents or accidents involving patients because it is crucial for patient safety and quality of care. Reporting allows for timely investigation, analysis, and implementation of measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. It also helps in identifying potential risks and improving the overall healthcare system. By reporting incidents, healthcare workers contribute to a culture of transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement in healthcare settings. Therefore, it is essential for all healthcare workers to take responsibility and report any incidents or accidents involving patients.

Once central service technicians have been made aware of the hazards they face in the work area, it is their responsibility to work safely and follow safety guidelines. This means that they should take necessary precautions to protect themselves and others from potential dangers. By acknowledging the hazards and adhering to safety protocols, central service technicians can minimize the risk of accidents and ensure a safe working environment.

A plane crash is considered an external disaster because it is an event that occurs outside of an individual or a group's control. It is an unexpected and tragic incident that can cause significant damage and loss of life. External disasters are typically caused by natural phenomena, accidents, or human actions beyond the control of those affected. In the case of a plane crash, it is an external disaster as it involves an unforeseen incident that results in the destruction of an aircraft and potentially the loss of many lives.

Gas cylinders should be stored and transported in the upright position to ensure safety. Storing them upright prevents any potential leaks or spills that could occur if the cylinder were to fall or tip over. Additionally, transporting them in the upright position helps to maintain the integrity of the cylinder and prevents damage that could lead to leaks or other hazards. By keeping gas cylinders upright, the risk of accidents and injuries is minimized, making it the correct and safest practice.

The statement is true because an internal disaster refers to a crisis or emergency situation that occurs within an organization or company. In this case, the loss of the central service department's water supply would directly impact the organization's operations and ability to function properly. It is an internal issue that can disrupt the normal functioning of the department and potentially affect other areas of the organization. Therefore, it can be considered an example of an internal disaster.

Ethylene oxide sterilizers should be located in a separate area from work areas because ethylene oxide is a highly flammable and toxic gas. It can pose a risk to the health and safety of employees if not handled properly. By locating the sterilizers in a separate area, the potential for exposure to the gas is minimized, reducing the risk of accidents and health hazards. This separation also helps to ensure that any leaks or spills can be contained and controlled more effectively. Therefore, it is recommended to have a dedicated space for ethylene oxide sterilizers to ensure the safety of the workplace.

Ergonomic injuries are a risk factor for persons who perform repetitive or physical work. This means that individuals who engage in tasks that involve repetitive movements or physical strain are more susceptible to developing ergonomic injuries. These injuries can include musculoskeletal disorders, such as back pain or carpal tunnel syndrome, which can significantly impact an individual's health and well-being. It is important for employers to address ergonomic concerns and implement measures to prevent such injuries in the workplace.

Ethylene oxide gas is a hazardous substance that can be explosive and flammable. Storing it in a chemical storage cabinet is the safest option as it provides proper ventilation, prevents leaks, and protects it from ignition sources. Storing it outside or in a refrigerator can expose it to temperature fluctuations and increase the risk of accidents. Similarly, storing it in a heated chamber can also be dangerous as it may increase the pressure inside the canister and lead to explosions. Therefore, a chemical storage cabinet is the most suitable and secure option for storing 100% ethylene oxide gas canisters.

Ethylene oxide is a hazardous gas that can have harmful effects on the environment and human health. Therefore, it is necessary to vent ethylene oxide into an emission control device to prevent its release into the atmosphere. This control device helps to capture and treat the gas before it is released, reducing the potential environmental and health risks associated with ethylene oxide emissions.

The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) contains important information about a chemical, including its physical data. This includes details such as the chemical's melting point, boiling point, density, and other physical characteristics. The MSDS is a document that provides crucial safety information for handling, storing, and using chemicals, and it is a legal requirement for manufacturers and distributors to provide MSDS sheets for their products. Therefore, it is true that you would find physical data relating to a chemical on its MSDS sheet.

Sterile preparation and sterilization areas can pose a risk of injury to central service technicians. These areas involve handling potentially hazardous materials, such as chemicals and contaminated instruments, which can cause injuries if not properly handled. Technicians may be exposed to sharp objects, harmful chemicals, or infectious materials, increasing the risk of injury. Therefore, it is important for central service technicians to follow safety protocols and wear appropriate protective equipment to minimize the risk of injury in these areas.

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) has set the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for ethylene oxide at 1 part per million (PPM) over an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA). This means that workers should not be exposed to concentrations of ethylene oxide higher than 1PPM on average over an 8-hour workday. This regulation is in place to protect workers from the potential health hazards associated with ethylene oxide exposure. Therefore, the given answer, "True," is correct.

The statement suggests that sterilization load recalls should only be made if patients develop infections. However, this is not true. Sterilization load recalls should be made as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety and well-being of patients, regardless of whether they have developed infections or not. It is important to identify and rectify any potential issues with sterilization processes to prevent the spread of infections and maintain a sterile environment for all patients. Therefore, the correct answer is False.

Washing disposable sharps before discarding them is not required for sharps safety because disposable sharps are meant to be used once and then discarded. Washing them would not only be unnecessary but also potentially dangerous as it could increase the risk of accidental injury. It is important to dispose of all single-use sharps in an appropriate container to ensure safe handling and prevent the spread of infections. Additionally, it is crucial to never use fingers to remove a blade from a scalpel and to separate reusable sharps from other instruments during processing to minimize the risk of injuries and cross-contamination.

Secondary containers of chemicals must be labeled with a copy of the original manufacturers label or a generic label that identifies hazard warnings and directions. This is important to ensure that anyone handling the chemicals is aware of the potential hazards and knows how to handle them safely. It also helps to prevent any confusion or accidents that may occur if the contents of the secondary container are not properly identified.

An MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) is a document that provides information about the potential hazards, handling, storage, and emergency procedures for a specific chemical product. It is primarily used for safety purposes. The information included in an MSDS typically consists of special precautions, physical data (such as boiling point, flash point, etc.), and product identification (name, manufacturer, etc.). However, required inventory levels are not typically included on an MSDS as they are not directly related to the safety aspects of the product.

Disposable items in a healthcare facility can increase the combustible load. This means that there are more flammable materials present, which can potentially fuel a fire and make it more dangerous. These disposable items, such as paper products, packaging materials, and medical waste, can easily catch fire and contribute to the spread of flames. Therefore, it is important for healthcare facilities to properly manage and dispose of these items to minimize the risk of fire incidents.

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are provided by the product manufacturer. This is because the manufacturer is responsible for providing accurate and up-to-date information about the potential hazards, safe handling procedures, and emergency response measures for their products. MSDS sheets contain detailed information about the composition, physical and chemical properties, and potential health and safety hazards of a product. They are essential in ensuring the safe use, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials in various industries. OSHA, the FDA, and the Risk Management department may have their own regulations and guidelines, but the primary responsibility of providing MSDS lies with the product manufacturer.

Type B fire extinguishers should be used on flammable liquids because they are specifically designed to extinguish fires caused by flammable liquids such as gasoline, oil, and grease. These extinguishers use a special chemical agent, usually foam or powder, that helps to smother the fire and prevent it from spreading. Using a Type B fire extinguisher on flammable liquids is important because it can effectively suppress the fire and minimize the risk of further damage or injury.

Pushing the cart instead of pulling it when transporting sterilized items from the ethylene oxide sterilizer to the aerator is not necessary to avoid inhaling ethylene oxide fumes. The direction in which the cart is moved does not affect the exposure to the fumes. The correct precautionary measure to avoid inhaling ethylene oxide fumes is to ensure that the area is well-ventilated and to wear appropriate personal protective equipment such as a respirator.

The correct answer is PPM. PPM stands for parts per million and it is a unit of measure used to describe the concentration or amount of a substance in the air. In this case, it is used to describe the amount of Ethylene Oxide (ETO) in the air. PPM is commonly used in air quality monitoring and industrial hygiene to assess the level of pollutants or hazardous substances present in the environment.

In a class C fire, the burning material is energized electrical equipment. This includes any electrical devices or appliances that are connected to a power source. When an electrical fire occurs, it is important to cut off the power supply before attempting to extinguish the fire, as water or other traditional firefighting methods can conduct electricity and pose a risk of electrocution. Using a fire extinguisher specifically designed for electrical fires, such as a dry chemical or carbon dioxide extinguisher, is recommended to safely put out the flames.

Polymerization is the correct answer because it refers to a molecular reaction that creates a chain or network of polymers by combining smaller molecules called monomers. This process does not involve an uncontrolled release of energy, unlike combustion or fire. Vapor density, on the other hand, is a measure of the density of a gas compared to air and is not directly related to the given question.

It is important to notify your supervisor immediately if you are exposed to body fluids or chemicals, not just at the end of your shift. This is because exposure to these substances can be hazardous and may require immediate medical attention or decontamination. Waiting until the end of the shift may delay necessary actions and put your health at risk. Therefore, the given answer "False" is correct as it emphasizes the importance of immediate notification rather than waiting until the end of the shift.