Certified Healthcare Safety Professional (CHSP) Practice Exam

An exposure incident can be described as what type of contact?

1. Only contact with blood

2. Any contact with the skin

3. Any contact with OPIM through various means

4. Only contact through the digestive tract

The correct answer is: Any contact with OPIM through various means

An exposure incident is defined as any contact with potentially infectious materials, which includes other potentially infectious materials (OPIM). OPIM encompasses a range of substances beyond blood, such as bodily fluids, tissues, and certain cultures. Therefore, any contact with these substances, regardless of the means (such as percutaneous injury, contact with mucous membranes, or skin), qualifies as an exposure incident. This concept is important in healthcare safety as it underscores the necessity for protocols and precautions to protect staff from various routes of exposure, not just limited to blood or direct contact with infectious materials. Understanding this broad definition helps healthcare professionals maintain a higher level of preparedness and awareness regarding infection control and the associated risks. Focusing on the other options, they are too restrictive and do not cover the full scope of what constitutes an exposure incident, which is why they do not adequately address the necessary safety practices in a healthcare setting.