Infection Control, Bloodborne Pathogens, and Sanitation
This domain tests standard precautions, the difference between cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization, safe sharps handling, and bloodborne pathogen exposure response. PMU is a percutaneous procedure, so every client contact is treated as potentially infectious.
Core rules
Perform hand hygiene before and after gloves, and between clients. Wear gloves, eye protection, and a mask when splashes are possible. Use single-use needles, blade cartridges, cups, and gloves; never reuse them. Clean visible soil before disinfection. Sterilize reusable heat-stable tools with an autoclave using validated cycles, such as 121°C at 15 psi for 15-30 minutes or 134°C for a shorter cycle. Disinfect non-sterilizable surfaces with an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant. Place sharps immediately in a closable, puncture-resistant container without recapping.
Bloodborne pathogens
HBV, HCV, and HIV transmit through blood and body fluids. HBV is stable on surfaces for at least 7 days; HIV is less stable. A needlestick requires washing the site with soap and water, flushing mucous membranes, reporting immediately, identifying the source when possible, and accessing post-exposure prophylaxis evaluation. Hepatitis B vaccination is a key prevention measure.
Worked example
After a procedure, a cartridge needle punctures your glove and skin. Reasoning: do not squeeze or scrub the wound; wash with soap and water, report to the exposure control officer, document the event, and seek prompt medical evaluation for PEP and baseline testing.
Traps
Believing gloves replace handwashing; using alcohol or "cold sterilization" for needles; recapping by hand; storing clean and dirty items together; skipping spill-kit training.