CPR + First Aid + BBP Certification Manual: Exposure
- 1. CPR Introduction
- 2. Recognizing Cardiac Arrest
- 3. Positioning & Pulse Check
- 4. Compressions for Adults
- 5. Compressions for Infants & Children
- 6. Ventilation Equipment
- 7. Ventilations for Adults
- 8. Ventilations for Infants & Children
- 9. AED Usage
- 10. AED Special Circumstances
- 11. Common CPR Mistakes
- 12. CPR Conclusion
- 13. First Aid Introduction
- 14. Get to Know Your First Aid Kit
- 15. Recognition & Protective Gear
- 16. Medical Emergencies
- 17. Medical Emergencies II
- 18. Trauma Emergencies
- 19. Trauma Emergencies II
- 20. Choking
- 21. Choking Procedures for Adults & Children
- 22. Choking Procedures for Infants
- 23. Aftercare
- 24. Common First Aid Mistakes
- 25. First Aid Conclusion
- 26. Bloodborne Pathogens Introduction
- 27. Protection from Pathogens
- 28. Protective Gear
- 29. Transmission
- 30. Exposure
- 31. Cleaning Exposed Areas
- 32. Reporting an Incident
- 33. Common BBP Mistakes
- 34. Bloodborne Pathogens Conclusion
- MyCPR Now™ Glossary
Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure
An exposure incident occurs when blood or another potentially infectious material comes into contact with a route through which infection may enter the body. The person whose blood or other potentially infectious materials caused the exposure is referred to as the source individual. Examples include a needlestick, contaminated sharp injury, splash to the eyes or mouth or contact with non-intact skin.
Examples of Possible Exposure
Possible exposure incidents include:
- Being stuck by a used needle
- Being cut by a contaminated sharp object
- Blood splashing into the eyes
- Blood entering the nose or mouth
- Blood contacting an open wound, cut, or damaged skin
Contact with intact skin alone does not necessarily constitute an exposure incident, but contaminated material should still be removed and the skin cleaned.
Immediate Actions After Exposure
If an exposure occurs:
- Stop the task when it is safe to do so
- Wash needlestick injuries, cuts, and exposed skin with soap and water
- Flush the eyes, nose, or mouth with clean water if exposed
- Remove contaminated clothing or PPE as appropriate
- Report the incident promptly according to workplace procedures
- Obtain medical evaluation as soon as possible
Needlestick or Sharps Exposure
For a needlestick or other contaminated sharps injury:
- Wash the area promptly with soap and water
- Do not aggressively squeeze, cut, or scrub the wound
- Report the incident
- Obtain prompt professional medical evaluation
Eye, Nose, or Mouth Exposure
If blood or potentially infectious material enters the eyes, nose, or mouth, flush the exposed area promptly with clean water. Remove contact lenses if necessary and practical while flushing the eyes. Report the incident and obtain professional medical evaluation.
Why Prompt Action Matters
Some post-exposure decisions are time-sensitive. Prompt reporting allows the incident to be documented and professional evaluation to begin as soon as possible. Do not delay reporting while waiting to see whether symptoms develop.