Certified Healthcare Safety Professional (CHSP) Practice Exam

Which best defines contaminated laundry in a healthcare environment?

1. Laundry that is not washed properly

2. Items soiled with blood or infectious materials

3. Clothing worn by healthcare personnel during shifts

4. Laundry handled by an untrained staff

The correct answer is: Items soiled with blood or infectious materials

Contaminated laundry in a healthcare environment is best defined as items soiled with blood or infectious materials. This definition is grounded in the potential for these items to harbor pathogens that can pose significant health risks to both patients and healthcare workers. When laundry is soiled with infectious substances, it necessitates special handling procedures to prevent cross-contamination and the spread of infections. While improper washing can lead to laundry being inadequately cleaned, this does not inherently define it as "contaminated" based on the standards typically used in healthcare settings. The focus here is on items that have been directly exposed to harmful pathogens, making the correct choice essential for understanding proper infection control and hygiene practices in healthcare environments. Items such as scrubs, sheets, or towels that have been directly exposed to blood or other infectious fluids require particular attention and specific processes for handling and laundering.