AST Chapter 5 - Physical Environment and
Safety Standards Study Guide Questions and
Answers with Complete Solutions
Glare - ANSWER green and blue drapes and towels, along with dull, satin or
ebony finishes instrument
electrical burns - ANSWER do not remove a third prong, ensure no patient
contact with metal components of the OR table, return electrode is applied
correctly
Blood-borne diseases - ANSWER standard precautions (goggles, masks,
protection of nonintact skin)
body mechanisms - ANSWER wide stance, shift weight, push equipment, lift
with legs, turn body as a whole, use legs to lift
laser eye injury - ANSWER goggles of appropriate optical density with no
scratches, pretest, signage
ionizing radiation - ANSWER monitoring device, time, distance, and shielding,
including lead aprons, gloves, thyroid shields, and glasses for staff and patient
HIV exposure - ANSWER PEP within 2 hours with follow-up in 6 weeks, 12
weeks, and 6 months
, surgical fire - ANSWER ESU holder, wet towels, rectal packing, non-reflective
instruments, flame-resistant ETT, fiber-optic stored safely, no frayed or damaged
cords, sterile water, halon fire extinguisher, RACE
Sharps injury - ANSWER Neutral zone, PPE, sharps containers, magnetic pads,
instrument stand, one-handed technique
Plume exposure - ANSWER Smoke evacuation within 1 cm, high-filtration laser
masks, eye protection, HEPA or ULPA filterr with charcoal filter, filter changes
Semirestricted - ANSWER Areas where hat, scrubs, and designated shoes or
shoe covers are worn
Restricted - ANSWER Area where there are opened sterile supplies
Unrestricted - ANSWER Dressing rooms
Unrestricted - ANSWER Main desk
Restricted - ANSWER Area where hat, scrubs, and designated shoes or shoe
covers and mask are worn
unrestricted - ANSWER area where street clothes are permitted
unrestricted - ANSWER main office