With respect to spillages of blood or body fluids, identify the incorrect statement.

DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Applied Microbiology & Infection control

Medium

Appeared in: DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Explanation

The statement to remove PPE and clean a spill with bare hands is incorrect because it violates the fundamental principle of Standard Precautions.
Direct contact with blood or body fluids without a barrier (like gloves) exposes the healthcare worker to a significant risk of acquiring bloodborne infections such as Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV), and HIV.
Standard infection control protocols mandate wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including gloves and an apron, for any task involving potential contact with biohazardous materials.

Option A: This is a correct action. Mopping with hot soapy water is part of the final cleaning phase after the spill has been properly contained and disinfected.
Option B: This is a correct action. Using absorbent towels to contain the spill and disposing of them in a designated yellow biohazard bag is a key part of the standard procedure.
Option D: This is a correct action. Placing a warning sign is a crucial first step to prevent slips, falls, and further contamination by alerting others to the hazard.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Infection control and management of biohazard spills helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Proper management of biohazard spills is a critical nursing competency to prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and protect both patients and staff.
Occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens is a serious risk. Hepatitis B virus, for example, can survive on environmental surfaces for up to 7 days, emphasizing the need for meticulous cleaning and disinfection.
What if? If the spill is large (e.g., greater than 10 cm in diameter), a dedicated spill kit should be used. The disinfectant concentration may also need to be stronger, such as 10,000 ppm (1% available chlorine) sodium hypochlorite, as per institutional policy.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the keywords in the question. Here, the key is 'incorrect statement' regarding 'spillages of blood or body fluids'. This means you are looking for the option that describes a wrong action.
Recall the principles of Standard Precautions, which treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious.
Evaluate each option against these principles.
Option A (mopping) is a cleaning step. Option B (absorbing into a yellow bag) is a containment and disposal step. Option D (warning sign) is a safety step. All seem plausible.
Option C suggests removing protective gear and using bare hands. This directly contradicts the core principle of using barrier protection (PPE) to prevent exposure.
Therefore, the statement describing cleaning with bare hands is the incorrect and unsafe practice.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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