Skin & Nail ServicesQuestion 421 of 484

A nail technician sticks herself with a metal cuticle nipper while disassembling tools for cleaning. The correct sequence is to:

a.Wash the wound with soap and water, encourage bleeding, cover with a clean bandage, report and document the exposure, and seek medical evaluation for bloodborne pathogen exposure
b.Apply a styptic and continue working since it was her own blood
c.Throw the nipper away because it is now medical waste
d.Soak the nipper in alcohol for 10 minutes and reuse it on the next client without further cleaning

Explanation

A sharps injury is a potential bloodborne pathogen exposure even when the contaminated source is the worker herself, because the wound is now an open portal that contacts whatever was on the tool. The Cal/OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen standard requires washing the area with soap and water, encouraging bleeding, dressing the wound, documenting the event, and seeking medical evaluation. Sharps that contact blood are managed per the Medical Waste Management Act, including disposal of single-use sharps in an approved container (HSC §118285). Option B ignores documentation and reuses a contaminated tool. Option C wastes a reusable instrument that can be properly cleaned and disinfected. Option D skips the cleaning step that must precede disinfection.

Law Reference: HSC §118285

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