Ohio Graduation Test for Science– March 2005
Annotated Item 10
Standard and Benchmark Assessed:
Standard:
Benchmark:
Scientific Ways of Knowing
D. Recognize that scientific literacy is part of being a knowledgeable citizen.
Multiple Choice Question:
10.
When a medical technician analyzes human body fluids such as blood, which safety
precaution would not be necessary?
A. protective gloves
B. safety goggles/face shield
C. closed-toed shoes
D. lead-lined apron
Commentary:
This multiple choice question asks students to identify a safety precaution that would not be
necessary when a medical technician analyzes human body fluids. Body fluids can contain
infectious diseases such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. In
order to protect health care and medical workers from contacting these diseases, they employ
an approach referred to as “Universal Blood and Body Fluid Precautions”. Students must recall
some of these precautions that include barrier methods to prevent fluids coming in contact with
medical technicians via the skin or open wounds. Answer choices A, B and C are common tools
used for fluid protection. The gloves, safety goggles and face shield protect the hands, eyes,
and face from splashes. The closed-toed shoes protect the feet from puncture wounds if
needles or tubes containing fluid are dropped and broken. Answer choice D, a lead-lined apron,
could be considered a barrier for splashes but it is not traditionally used for “Universal Blood and
Body Fluid Precautions”. Lead lined aprons are commonly used to protect individuals from
overexposure to X-rays. Answer choice D would not be necessary for a medical technician to
safely analyze human body fluids.
The question is classified Demonstrating Investigation Processes of Science because students
are asked to identify the appropriate use of safety equipment in a lab where medical technicians
would be handling human body fluids.
Performance Data:
The percent of public school students selecting answer choice D for question 10 on the March
2005 Ohio Graduation Test was 64%.
Keywords:
laboratory safety, infection control
Source: Ohio Department of Education
July 05