Oregon Written Tattoo Practice Test

What action should be taken if a garment is penetrated by blood or other infectious materials?

1. It should be cleaned and reused

2. It needs to be incinerated

3. It should be removed immediately or as soon as possible

4. It can be put in a regular laundry basket

The correct answer is: It should be removed immediately or as soon as possible

If a garment is penetrated by blood or other infectious materials, it is crucial to remove it immediately or as soon as possible to prevent the potential spread of infection. This action is part of proper infection control practices, ensuring that any hazardous materials do not come into contact with the skin or other surfaces, which could pose health risks to both the wearer and others. Immediate removal minimizes the chances of contamination and ensures that the fabric can be managed in a way that adequately addresses health safety guidelines, such as appropriate cleaning or disposal methods. This is essential in a tattoo or body art setting, where exposure to blood and body fluids is a significant risk. The other options do not prioritize health and safety adequately. For instance, cleaning and reusing the garment without proper disinfection could lead to contamination. Incinerating the garment could be necessary in certain extreme cases, but usually, immediate removal and proper disposal or cleaning is the first step. Lastly, putting it in a regular laundry basket would expose whoever handles the laundry to potential infectious materials, which is unsafe and against best practices.