Final answer:
The bloodborne pathogen that poses a considerable risk to health care workers is Hepatitis B (HBV), and the HBV vaccine along with protective measures are essential for preventing transmission in health care settings.
Step-by-step explanation:
A bloodborne pathogen that poses a significant risk to health care workers is Hepatitis B (HBV). Hepatitis B can be transmitted via exposure to infectious blood or body fluids, and health care workers are at particular risk due to potential needle sticks and other occupational exposures. To reduce the risk of HBV transmission, health care workers should utilize protective gear such as gloves and face protection, adhere to stringent hand hygiene practices, and properly disinfect surfaces using recommended solutions like a 10% bleach solution.
Health care agencies are mandated to offer the HBV vaccine to workers with occupational exposure, which is crucial since the HBV vaccine is the primary preventive measure against the virus. In cases of exposure, post-exposure treatment with hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and vaccination is employed to mitigate the risk of HBV infection.