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Quizzes > Health & Medicine

OSHA Needlestick Prevention Quiz: Sharps Safety Essentials

Quick sharps safety quiz to test your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Scott WilsonUpdated Aug 25, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of a syringe and sharps disposal container, quiz title elements on golden yellow background

Use this OSHA needlestick prevention quiz to check your skills with safe needle handling, sharps disposal, and post-exposure steps. For related practice, try the sterile processing quiz and the regulated medical waste quiz to strengthen safe workflow and disposal habits. You'll get instant feedback to spot gaps and improve daily routines.

Which OSHA standard primarily governs occupational exposure to needlesticks and other sharps injuries?
29 CFR 1910.1030 Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
29 CFR 1910.147 Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout)
29 CFR 1910.1200 Hazard Communication Standard
29 CFR 1910.134 Respiratory Protection Standard
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Sharps must be disposed of in containers that are puncture-resistant, leakproof on sides and bottom, and labeled or color-coded.
True
False
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Which practice is most appropriate when a safety-engineered needle has a built-in shield?
Recap the needle with two hands before activation
Leave the needle unactivated to save time if a sharps container is nearby
Deactivate the safety feature during transport to the sharps container
Activate the safety feature immediately after use with a one-handed technique
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What is the recommended fill level at which a sharps container should be replaced?
Only when it is completely full
When it reaches the designated fill line or about three-quarters full
At the end of the month, regardless of capacity
After the first shift that uses it
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It is acceptable to recap a contaminated needle using a two-handed technique if you are alone and careful.
False
True
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Sharps containers should be placed as close as feasible to the immediate area where sharps are used.
True
False
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The Exposure Control Plan must be reviewed and updated at least annually and whenever new tasks or procedures affect exposure.
True
False
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The Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act requires employer involvement of non-managerial employees in selecting safer medical devices.
True
False
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Bending, breaking, or shearing contaminated needles is prohibited unless no feasible alternative exists and is required by a specific medical procedure.
True
False
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Which control method has the highest priority for preventing needlestick injuries under OSHA's hierarchy of controls?
Engineering controls (e.g., safety-engineered needles)
Personal protective equipment (e.g., gloves)
Employee discipline
Administrative controls (e.g., scheduling)
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Which statement best describes the one-handed scoop technique?
Activating the safety device with both hands
Holding the cap with one hand and the needle with the other to recap
Using both hands to place the cap, then removing it with one hand
Using one hand to slide the needle into a cap lying on a flat surface without the other hand holding the cap
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Which labeling is acceptable for regulated sharps waste under OSHA when the container is not red?
No label if the container is red
A green label with white recycling symbol
A fluorescent orange or orange-red biohazard label with contrasting lettering
A plain white label with the word WASTE
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All employees with occupational exposure must receive Hepatitis B vaccination at no cost after required training and within 10 working days of initial assignment.
True
False
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Which employee group must be included in evaluating and selecting safer sharps devices under OSHA?
Non-managerial employees who are directly responsible for patient care
Any volunteer available at the time
Only department heads and procurement staff
Only safety officers with no clinical duties
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Which device feature is most effective at reducing needlestick risk during blood collection?
A device with a longer needle to pass quickly through tissue
A device that requires two-handed activation
A standard hollow-bore needle with a tight-fitting cap
A safety-engineered device with an automatic, passive needle shielding mechanism
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Which statement about sharps container placement is most appropriate for home health settings?
Place a large, open-top container near the client's kitchen sink
Leave used sharps double-bagged in household trash
Store used sharps in a labeled cardboard box until pickup
Use a portable, closable, puncture-resistant container kept under the clinician's control and removed after the visit
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Which is a required element of a sharps injury log under the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act?
Employee Social Security number
Type and brand of device involved in the incident
Patient name and diagnosis
Exact viral status of the source patient
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Within what time frame should HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) ideally be started after a high-risk needlestick?
Only if symptoms develop in 2 weeks
After 5 days to allow for baseline labs
After completing an incident investigation
As soon as possible, ideally within hours and no later than 72 hours
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Recapping unused sterile needles is always prohibited under OSHA rules.
True
False
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After a sharps injury, the source individual's testing must be performed without consent if state law allows.
False
True
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand OSHA Needlestick Prevention Standards -

    Gain a clear comprehension of OSHA's key regulations and guidelines for safe needle handling and bloodborne pathogen exposure control.

  2. Identify Sharps Hazards and Risk Factors -

    Recognize common clinical and laboratory scenarios that elevate the risk of needlestick injuries and improper sharps disposal.

  3. Apply Safe Needle Handling Techniques -

    Implement best practices for manipulating, recapping, and transporting needles to minimize injury potential during routine procedures.

  4. Demonstrate Proper Sharps Disposal Procedures -

    Follow correct steps for using sharps containers, segregation of medical waste, and final disposal to ensure compliance.

  5. Analyze Feedback to Reinforce Learning Gaps -

    Interpret quiz results and instant feedback to pinpoint knowledge gaps and strengthen understanding of needlestick safety procedures.

  6. Evaluate Workplace Compliance -

    Assess your organization's adherence to OSHA guidelines and identify opportunities for improvement in needle injury prevention.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Hierarchy of Controls for Needlestick Prevention -

    Review OSHA's hierarchy of controls model, which ranks safety measures from elimination and substitution to engineering controls and PPE. Use the mnemonic "EARS" (Eliminate, Automate, Restrict, Shield) to recall each level quickly. This framework helps you systematically reduce sharps risks before they reach the user.

  2. Sharps Container Management -

    Ensure sharps containers are puncture-resistant, labeled, and located within arm's reach of the point of use - never overfill beyond the fill line. A best practice is the "3/4 fill rule," endorsed by the CDC, to prevent sharps protrusion. Regular audits of container placement boost compliance and reduce needlestick incidents.

  3. Safe Handling and Recapping Techniques -

    Follow the one-handed "scoop" method for recapping needles, as recommended by OSHA, to keep your off-hand safely away from the needle point. Practice on a foam block until it becomes muscle memory. Remember: "One hand, one scoop, one safety" - a simple phrase to solidify the habit.

  4. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Use -

    Don gloves, eye protection, and gowns before any procedure that might involve bloodborne pathogens. Check for proper glove integrity and fit - tear-free and snug. According to WHO research, consistent PPE use cuts exposure risk by over 80%.

  5. Post-Exposure Evaluation and Reporting -

    If a needlestick injury occurs, wash the area with soap and water immediately and report to your supervisor within two hours. Familiarize yourself with your facility's bloodborne pathogen exposure protocol and the 24-hour post-exposure prophylaxis window. Quick action and accurate documentation can prevent serious infections.

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