Question

A medical assistant receives a splash of potentially infectious material to his eyes while collecting a urine specimen. Which of the following actions should the assistant take to prevent the spread of infection?

1) Wash the eyes with water for at least 15 minutes
2) Rub the eyes vigorously to remove the material
3) Continue working without taking any action
4) Inform the supervisor about the incident

Answer 1

In the event of a splash of potentially infectious material to the eyes, the medical assistant should immediately wash the eyes with water for at least 15 minutes and then inform the supervisor about the incident.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a medical assistant receives a splash of potentially infectious material to the eyes, the correct action to take to prevent the spread of infection is to immediately wash the eyes with water. The correct and most urgent step to take is:

1. Wash the eyes with water for at least 15 minutes to ensure any infectious material is thoroughly flushed out.

This rapid response is critical in reducing the risk of infection transmission and potential harm to the individual. After washing the eyes, the assistant should then:

1. Inform the supervisor about the incident to ensure proper reporting and follow-up measures can be taken.

Rubbing the eyes or continuing to work without taking action are not recommended as these actions can increase the risk of infection or cause additional harm to the eyes.