PSI Texas State Board Nail Tech practice exam

What is the FIRST step if you get blood or other potentially infectious materials in your eyes, nose, mouth, or on broken skin?

1. Apply antiseptic immediately.

2. Notify a supervisor.

3. Immediately flood the exposed area with water.

4. Cover the area with a bandage.

The correct answer is: Immediately flood the exposed area with water.

The first step upon exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials in the eyes, nose, mouth, or on broken skin is to immediately flood the affected area with water. This action is crucial as it helps to flush out any harmful substances or pathogens that may have entered the body, thereby reducing the risk of infection. In the case of exposure to the eyes, for instance, a continuous flow of water helps to wash away contaminants that could lead to serious complications. For other areas of the body, such as the mouth or broken skin, rinsing with water minimizes the presence of infectious agents and provides a primary response necessary for safety. Taking immediate action by washing the area with water is essential in these situations. While notifying a supervisor and applying antiseptic may be necessary steps that follow afterwards, they do not take precedence to the urgent need for decontamination to prevent adverse health effects. Covering a wound may be required later but won't reduce the risk of initial exposure as effectively as flushing with water does.