Final answer:
If an employee consents to baseline blood collection but not to HIV serologic testing, the sample must be preserved for 30 days. The correct answer is option D.
Step-by-step explanation:
If an employee consents to baseline blood collection but does not give consent for HIV serologic testing, the sample must be preserved for a minimum of 30 days. This is to ensure that if the employee changes their mind and wants the HIV serologic testing to be performed, the sample is still available. It is important to maintain the confidentiality and privacy of the employee's sample and only perform the HIV serologic testing if the employee gives explicit consent.
HIV Serology
The ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunoabsorbent Assay) test is used to screen blood products and individuals at increased risk for HIV infection.
If positive (reactive), the test is usually repeated on the same blood sample. Although this is a sensitive test, it is not highly specific for HIV (other conditions may give a positive ELISA).
For that reason, before HIV can be confirmed, an additional test is performed, either:
Western Blot (WB), or
Indirect Fluroescent Antibody (IFA)
If either the WB or IFA is positive, the diagnosis of HIV infection is confirmed.
In the event the ELISA is positive, but the WB or IFA is negative, a repeat of the WB or IFA in 3-6 months is often recommended.