Which statement about bloodborne pathogens and occupational exposure is true?

• A. Hepatitis B can be transmitted to susceptible personnel by percutaneous or mucosal exposure to infected blood or bodily fluids.
• B. Hepatitis B and C vaccines should be given only after exposure if the worker is not vaccinated.
• C. The risk of HIV transmission after a needlestick is greater than 50%.
• D. Post-exposure prophylaxis for hepatitis C-positive blood is routinely recommended.

Answer: (A)

Hepatitis B is transmitted through percutaneous or mucosal exposure to infected blood or bodily fluids, so a person who is not immune can become infected after a needlestick or a splash to a mucous membrane. That’s why this statement is true: occupational contact with infected blood or fluids can spread hepatitis B to susceptible healthcare workers.

The best protection is vaccination, ideally given before exposure. If exposure occurs and the worker is not immune, starting the vaccine series promptly is important, and in some cases additional measures such as hepatitis B immune globulin may be indicated depending on the exposure and immune status. This reflects why the idea of giving vaccines only after exposure is not correct—pre-exposure vaccination provides ongoing protection.

The other points are not accurate: the risk of HIV transmission after a needlestick is far less than 50% (about 0.3% on average), and there is no routinely recommended post-exposure prophylaxis for hepatitis C-positive blood since there is no proven preventive therapy to reliably stop infection after exposure. }