CNA Certification (Written Exam)Infection Control and SafetyHard
A nurse aide is cleaning a small blood spill on the floor of a resident's room. According to standard precautions, what is the correct FIRST step before wiping up the spill?
- APour bleach solution directly onto the spill without gloves
- BPut on gloves and other appropriate PPE before contacting the spill
- CCover the spill with a towel and leave it for housekeeping
- DWipe the spill with a paper towel, then put on gloves
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Put on gloves and other appropriate PPE before contacting the spill
Standard precautions require putting on gloves (and other PPE as needed, such as a gown or eye protection if splashing is likely) before any contact with blood or body fluids, including spills. This protects the aide from bloodborne pathogen exposure during cleanup.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Handling blood without gloves violates standard precautions, even briefly.
- C. Delaying cleanup increases exposure risk to residents and staff who may contact the spill.
- D. Wiping before gloving exposes bare skin to potentially infectious blood.
Bloodborne Spill Precautions
Before cleaning any blood or body fluid spill, staff must don appropriate PPE such as gloves to prevent bloodborne pathogen exposure.
- Gloves required before touching any blood or body fluid
- Additional PPE (gown, eyewear) used if splashing possible
- Spill must be cleaned promptly per facility policy
Memory trick: Gloves on before blood is gone