Final answer:
Exposure to blood-borne pathogens can happen through contact with infected fluids and parenteral routes, but not when appropriate personal protective equipment is worn. PPE acts as a preventive barrier.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the ways in which exposure to blood-borne pathogens can occur, particularly in the context of health care settings. Exposure to pathogens can happen through contact with infected body fluids such as blood, semen, and saliva, which can enter the body via various routes.
Common routes include parenteral routes like injuries from needles or sharp objects and mucosal surfaces such as the eyes, nose, or mouth. However, exposure doesn't occur when proper personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn in situations with a risk of exposure to blood or body fluids. PPE acts as a barrier against infections by preventing pathogens from reaching the mucous membranes or broken skin.
It is vital for health-care workers and others at risk to use PPE appropriately, and to follow stringent protocols for disinfecting and sterilizing surfaces and equipment to reduce the risk of transmission through contact with contaminated objects.