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blood spill management laboratory procedure sodium hypochlorite absorbent material WHO guidelines
Correct Answer: C. Cover the spill with absorbent material and remove it safely
The selected answer A (Apply 1% sodium hypochlorite directly) is incorrect. Here is a full breakdown:
Why C is Correct - Standard Blood Spill Protocol
The internationally accepted procedure for a fresh blood spill in a laboratory follows this order:
- Put on PPE (gloves, eye protection if needed)
- Cover the spill with absorbent material (paper towels, absorbent granules, or gauze) to contain it and prevent spreading or aerosolization
- Remove the absorbed material safely into a biohazard waste bag
- Then apply disinfectant (such as 1:10 diluted sodium hypochlorite / bleach) to the area
- Clean the surface with mop/detergent water after the disinfectant contact time has elapsed
- Dispose of all materials as biohazard waste
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
| Option | Problem |
|---|---|
| A. Apply 1% sodium hypochlorite directly | Wrong as the first step. Applying bleach directly onto a large pool of fresh blood is ineffective - the organic matter (blood proteins) neutralizes the hypochlorite before it can disinfect. The spill must be absorbed/contained first. |
| B. Mop the spill immediately | Mopping without first absorbing spreads contaminated material over a wider area, increasing risk. |
| D. Inform the infection control committee first | Notifying the committee is not the immediate action - the spill must be managed right away. Documentation and reporting come after containment. |
Key Principle
Applying disinfectant directly to unabsorbed blood is a common misconception. The high organic load of blood inactivates sodium hypochlorite, rendering it ineffective. The correct sequence is: absorb first, then disinfect. This is standard per WHO biosafety guidelines and OSHA bloodborne pathogen standards.
The answered option A is wrong; the correct answer is C.
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