Free AAMA Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Practice Question

If a health care worker experiences exposure to potentially infectious material in the eye, they should first flush the area with water or sterile irrigants immediately. Then, they must report the incident to the appropriate personnel, typically their supervisor or the infection control officer, and follow the facility's exposure control plan for further medical evaluation and treatment. It is crucial to report the incident promptly to ensure appropriate management, including prophylaxis if necessary, and documentation for worker's compensation or further follow-up. Merely continuing to work without reporting increases the risk of infection and is against occupational safety guidelines. There is no need to wait until the end of the shift, and checking patient records for infectious diseases does not eliminate the risk of other potential infections and delays the exposure report.