MT 111: Analysis of Urine & Body Fluids - Safety and Quality Assessment

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering laboratory safety, hazard types, infection control, and emergency protocols based on MT 111 Unit I lecture notes.

CDC

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

OSHA

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

CLSI

Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute

PPE

Personal Protective Equipment

UP

Universal Precautions

BSI

Body Substance Isolation

NFPA

National Fire Protection Association

Biologic Hazards

Sources of infectious agents such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, prions, or parasites that can cause infection.

Sharps Hazards

Sources such as needles, lancets, and broken glass that can cause cuts, punctures, or exposure to blood-borne pathogens.

Chemical Hazards

Preservatives and reagents that can cause injury through exposure to toxic, carcinogenic, or caustic agents.

Radioactive Hazards

Hazards involving equipment and radioisotopes that lead to radiation exposure.

Electrical Hazards

Hazards resulting from ungrounded or wet equipment and frayed cords, potentially causing burns or shock.

Fire/Explosive Hazards

Sources such as open flames and organic chemicals that may cause burns or dismemberment.

Physical Hazards

Sources like wet floors, heavy boxes, and patients that may lead to falls, sprains, or strains.

Chain of Infection

A continuous link ($6$-link) model for understanding how microorganisms are transmitted: Infectious Agent, Reservoir, Portal of Exit, Mode of Transmission, Portal of Entry, and Susceptible Host.

Reservoir

A component of the Chain of Infection representing where agents live, including humans, animals, fomites, insects, blood, and body fluids.

Universal Precautions (UP)

A guideline where all patients are assumed to be carriers of bloodborne pathogens; handwashing is recommended after glove removal, but body fluids without visible blood were originally exempt.

Body Substance Isolation (BSI)

A guideline that considers all body fluids and moist body substances potentially infectious; a disadvantage is it did not recommend handwashing after glove removal unless visual contamination was present.

Standard Precautions

Infection prevention practices combining UP and BSI secrets, applied to all patients and laboratory specimens; all body fluids, secretions, and excretions (except sweat) are considered potentially infectious.

Urine Disposal

Unlike other biologic waste, this may be discarded by pouring it into a laboratory sink under a Plexigas countertop shield, followed by water flushing and daily sink disinfection.

Sodium Hypochlorite

Used as a bleach disinfectant in the lab, typically in a $0.5\%$ solution with a dilution of $1:5$ or $1:10$.

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

Documents containing chemical hazard information including physical characteristics, fire/explosion potential, reactivity, health hazards, safe handling, and disposal methods.

Teratogen

An agent, such as radiation, that can disturb the development of the embryo or fetus.

Three-Pronged Plugs

The required grounding standard for all electrical equipment in the laboratory.

RACE

The acronym for fire discovery response: Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish/Evacuate.

PASS

The acronym for fire extinguisher operation: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of fire, Squeeze handles, Sweep nozzle side to side.

Class A Fire

Fire involving ordinary combustibles like wood, paper, clothing/garments, and plastic.

Class B Fire

Fire involving flammable organic chemicals/liquids such as gasoline, paints, and oil.

Class C Fire

Fire involving electrical equipment like machines, motor switches, and plugs.

Class D Fire

Fire involving combustible metals such as $Hg$, $Mg$, $Na$, and $Li$.

Class E Fire

Fire categorized as detonation or arsenal fire, allowed to burn out while protecting nearby materials.

Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis

Identify as the Father of Handwashing.

Hand Washing Time

As per CDC procedure, hands should be rubbed to create friction for at least $15/20$ seconds.

NFPA Health Hazard (Blue)

Ranking from $0$ (Normal Material) to $4$ (Deadly).

NFPA Fire Hazard (Red)

Ranking based on flash point, from $0$ (Will not burn) to $4$ (Below $73^{\circ}F$).

NFPA Reactivity (Yellow)

Ranking from $0$ (Stable) to $4$ (May deteriorate).

NFPA Specific Hazard (White)

The section of the diamond indicating specific dangers like Oxidizer ($OXY$), Acid ($ACID$), Corrosive ($COR$), or Radiation.