Bloodborne Pathogens & Biosafety Quiz

Class II biosafety cabinets are designed to provide protection to the worker, the product being handled, and the environment. These cabinets are equipped with HEPA filters that help in filtering out harmful particles and microorganisms from the air, ensuring the safety of the worker. They also maintain a sterile environment inside the cabinet, preventing any contamination of the product being handled. Additionally, these cabinets have exhaust systems that remove any hazardous substances from the cabinet, thus protecting the environment. Therefore, all of the above options are correct.

Sexual transmission is not a potential route of transmission of a laboratory acquired infection. Laboratory acquired infections typically occur through accidental exposure to infectious materials in the laboratory setting. Splash from a test tube, animal scratches, and needle sticks are all examples of potential routes of transmission in a laboratory. However, sexual transmission is not a common mode of transmission in this context.

Staph. aureus is not a bloodborne pathogen disease because it is a bacterium, not a virus. Bloodborne pathogens are infectious microorganisms that can be transmitted through blood or other body fluids, such as Hepatitis B, Syphilis, and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Staph. aureus is a common bacterium that can cause various infections, but it is not primarily transmitted through blood.

Hepatitis B is the correct answer because there is an available and effective vaccine for this bloodborne pathogen disease. The vaccine for Hepatitis B has been proven to be highly effective in preventing the transmission of the virus and reducing the risk of developing chronic liver disease or liver cancer. It is recommended for all infants, as well as for adults who are at increased risk of exposure to the virus, such as healthcare workers or individuals with multiple sexual partners.

The risk of contracting HIV after an exposure is not greater than the risk of contracting Hepatitis B. Both HIV and Hepatitis B are bloodborne viruses, but HIV is generally considered to be more easily transmitted through sexual contact or sharing needles. Hepatitis B, on the other hand, can be transmitted through various routes including sexual contact, sharing needles, and exposure to infected blood or bodily fluids. Therefore, the risk of contracting Hepatitis B is generally considered to be higher than the risk of contracting HIV.