REHS Exam Bloodborne Pathogens
Questions and Answers Latest Update
Acute Infection - Answer-Classification of infection where symptoms appear rapidly, but
generally disappear within a few days.
Antiseptic solution - Answer-A liquid or semi-liquid substance that is approved by the
federal FDA to destroy or reduce the number of disease-causing microorganisms
present on the skin and on mucosal surfaces.
Approved - Answer-Deemed acceptable by the regulatory authority.
Blood Exposure Incident - Answer-When the skin is pierced through such events as a
needle, cut, or abrasion from material contaminated with blood from a client. Or if the
eye, mouth, or other mucus membrane or non-intact skin comes in contact with blood or
blood-contaminated material from a client.
Exposure does not always result in infection.
Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) - Answer-A disease-causing (pathogenic) microorganism
that is present in human blood and can be transmitted to humans.
Body Art - Answer-Body piercing, tattooing, branding, or application of permanent
cosmetics.
Body Art Facility - Answer-The specified building, section of a building, or vehicle in
which a practitioner performs body art.
Body Piercing - Answer-The creation of an opening in a human body for the purpose of
inserting jewelry or other decoration. Includes, but is not limited to, the piercing of an
ear, including tragus, lip, tongue, nose, or eyebrow.
Does not include the piercing of an ear with a disposable, single-use, pre-sterilized stud
and clasp applied using a mechanical device to force needle or stud through ear, except
for tragus.
Branding - Answer-Process in which a mark or marks are burned into human skin tissue
with a hot iron or other instrument, with the intention of leaving a permanent scar.
Chronic Infection - Answer-Infection that is long lasting or recurs regularly.
Client - Answer-Person requesting application of a tattoo or body piercing.
,Contaminated - Answer-The presence or the reasonably anticipated presence of blood
or other potentially infectious materials on a surface or in or on an item.
Cosmetic - Answer-Substances or products used to enhance or alter the appearance or
fragrance of the body. Many cosmetics are designed for use of applying to the face and
hair.
Decontamination - Answer-The use of physical or chemical means to remove,
inactivate, or destroy bloodborne pathogens on a surface or item to the point where the
pathogens are no longer capable of transmitting infectious particles and the surface or
item is rendered safe for handling, use, or disposal.
Decontamination and Sterilization Area - Answer-A room, or specific section of a room,
that is set apart and used only to decontaminate and sterilize instruments.
Disinfectant - Answer-A product that is registered by the federal EPA and the
Department of Pesticide Regulation, as indicated on the label, to reduce or eliminate the
presence of disease-causing microorganisms, for use in decontamination work
surfaces.
Hand Washing Facility - Answer-A facility providing an adequate supply of running
potable cold and hot water, soap and single use towels or hot air drying machines
Informed Consent Form - Answer-Client shall read, complete, and sign from prior to
performance of body art that includes the following:
1. description of procedure
2. what to expect following procedure: suggested care, medical complications
3. statement regarding permanent nature of body art
4. notice that tattoo inks, dyes, and pigments are not approved by FDA
5. post-procedure instructions: care of procedure site, restrictions on physical activities
and restriction duration, signs and symptoms of infection, any signs or symptoms that
indicate need to seek medical care
Instrument - Answer-A non-medical application device used in performing body art,
including but not limited to, needles, needle bars, needle tubes, forceps, hemostats,
tweezers, razors, or razor blades.
Jewelry - Answer-Must be made of ASTM F138, ISO 5832-1, and AISI 316L or AISI
316LVM implant grade stainless steel, solid 14K through 18K yellow or white gold,
niobium, ASTM F 136 6A4V titanium, platinum, or other materials found to be equally
bio-compatible shall be placed in newly pierced skin.
Shall be sterilized prior to piercing or shall be purchased pre-sterilized.
Restrictions for Tattoos and Permanent Cosmetics - Answer-Must be minimum 18 years
old to receive a tattoo or permanent cosmetics, regardless of parental consent.
, Restrictions for Body Piercings - Answer-A minor is permitted to receive a piercing in
the presence of his/her guardian.
A body art facility may refuse to perform body piercing on a minor, regardless of
parental/guardian consent.
Restrictions for Branding - Answer-Must be minimum 18 years old to receive a
branding, regardless of parental consent.
Exception for Application of Permanent Cosmetics on Minors - Answer-Piercing or
permanent cosmetics to nipples or genitals- prohibited for minors, *except* for
application of permanent cosmetics to nipples of minor when applied by registered
permanent cosmetic technician, with consent of parent/guardian, and as directed by a
physician.
Medical History Questionnaire - Answer-Client shall receive, complete, and sign
questionnaire that includes:
1. may be pregnant
2. history of herpes at the proposed procedure site, diabetes, allergic reactions to latex
or antibiotics, hemophilia or other bleeding disorder, or cardiac valve disease
3. history of medication use
4. other risk factors for BBP exposure
Permanent Cosmetics - Answer-The application of pigments in human skin tissue for
the purpose of permanently changing the color or other appearance of the skin.
Includes, but is not limited to, permanent eyeliner, eyebrow, or lip color.
PPE - Answer-*Personal protective equipment* is clothing or tools that are designed to
protect from injury or sickness while working.
Examples include aprons, bibs, masks, safety glasses, goggles, and gloves. Properly
worn gloves create an effective barrier between you and your clients.
Piercing Gun - Answer-Mechanical stud and clasp ear piercing device used to force
needle or stud through ear.
Must use disposable, single-use, pre-sterilized stud and clasp that meets jewelry
requirements.
Procedure Area - Answer-A room, or designated portion of a room, that is set apart and
only used to perform body art.
Registration - Answer-A person shall not perform body art if he or she is not registered
with the LEA, and at any location other than a permitted permanent or temporary body
art facility.
Questions and Answers Latest Update
Acute Infection - Answer-Classification of infection where symptoms appear rapidly, but
generally disappear within a few days.
Antiseptic solution - Answer-A liquid or semi-liquid substance that is approved by the
federal FDA to destroy or reduce the number of disease-causing microorganisms
present on the skin and on mucosal surfaces.
Approved - Answer-Deemed acceptable by the regulatory authority.
Blood Exposure Incident - Answer-When the skin is pierced through such events as a
needle, cut, or abrasion from material contaminated with blood from a client. Or if the
eye, mouth, or other mucus membrane or non-intact skin comes in contact with blood or
blood-contaminated material from a client.
Exposure does not always result in infection.
Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) - Answer-A disease-causing (pathogenic) microorganism
that is present in human blood and can be transmitted to humans.
Body Art - Answer-Body piercing, tattooing, branding, or application of permanent
cosmetics.
Body Art Facility - Answer-The specified building, section of a building, or vehicle in
which a practitioner performs body art.
Body Piercing - Answer-The creation of an opening in a human body for the purpose of
inserting jewelry or other decoration. Includes, but is not limited to, the piercing of an
ear, including tragus, lip, tongue, nose, or eyebrow.
Does not include the piercing of an ear with a disposable, single-use, pre-sterilized stud
and clasp applied using a mechanical device to force needle or stud through ear, except
for tragus.
Branding - Answer-Process in which a mark or marks are burned into human skin tissue
with a hot iron or other instrument, with the intention of leaving a permanent scar.
Chronic Infection - Answer-Infection that is long lasting or recurs regularly.
Client - Answer-Person requesting application of a tattoo or body piercing.
,Contaminated - Answer-The presence or the reasonably anticipated presence of blood
or other potentially infectious materials on a surface or in or on an item.
Cosmetic - Answer-Substances or products used to enhance or alter the appearance or
fragrance of the body. Many cosmetics are designed for use of applying to the face and
hair.
Decontamination - Answer-The use of physical or chemical means to remove,
inactivate, or destroy bloodborne pathogens on a surface or item to the point where the
pathogens are no longer capable of transmitting infectious particles and the surface or
item is rendered safe for handling, use, or disposal.
Decontamination and Sterilization Area - Answer-A room, or specific section of a room,
that is set apart and used only to decontaminate and sterilize instruments.
Disinfectant - Answer-A product that is registered by the federal EPA and the
Department of Pesticide Regulation, as indicated on the label, to reduce or eliminate the
presence of disease-causing microorganisms, for use in decontamination work
surfaces.
Hand Washing Facility - Answer-A facility providing an adequate supply of running
potable cold and hot water, soap and single use towels or hot air drying machines
Informed Consent Form - Answer-Client shall read, complete, and sign from prior to
performance of body art that includes the following:
1. description of procedure
2. what to expect following procedure: suggested care, medical complications
3. statement regarding permanent nature of body art
4. notice that tattoo inks, dyes, and pigments are not approved by FDA
5. post-procedure instructions: care of procedure site, restrictions on physical activities
and restriction duration, signs and symptoms of infection, any signs or symptoms that
indicate need to seek medical care
Instrument - Answer-A non-medical application device used in performing body art,
including but not limited to, needles, needle bars, needle tubes, forceps, hemostats,
tweezers, razors, or razor blades.
Jewelry - Answer-Must be made of ASTM F138, ISO 5832-1, and AISI 316L or AISI
316LVM implant grade stainless steel, solid 14K through 18K yellow or white gold,
niobium, ASTM F 136 6A4V titanium, platinum, or other materials found to be equally
bio-compatible shall be placed in newly pierced skin.
Shall be sterilized prior to piercing or shall be purchased pre-sterilized.
Restrictions for Tattoos and Permanent Cosmetics - Answer-Must be minimum 18 years
old to receive a tattoo or permanent cosmetics, regardless of parental consent.
, Restrictions for Body Piercings - Answer-A minor is permitted to receive a piercing in
the presence of his/her guardian.
A body art facility may refuse to perform body piercing on a minor, regardless of
parental/guardian consent.
Restrictions for Branding - Answer-Must be minimum 18 years old to receive a
branding, regardless of parental consent.
Exception for Application of Permanent Cosmetics on Minors - Answer-Piercing or
permanent cosmetics to nipples or genitals- prohibited for minors, *except* for
application of permanent cosmetics to nipples of minor when applied by registered
permanent cosmetic technician, with consent of parent/guardian, and as directed by a
physician.
Medical History Questionnaire - Answer-Client shall receive, complete, and sign
questionnaire that includes:
1. may be pregnant
2. history of herpes at the proposed procedure site, diabetes, allergic reactions to latex
or antibiotics, hemophilia or other bleeding disorder, or cardiac valve disease
3. history of medication use
4. other risk factors for BBP exposure
Permanent Cosmetics - Answer-The application of pigments in human skin tissue for
the purpose of permanently changing the color or other appearance of the skin.
Includes, but is not limited to, permanent eyeliner, eyebrow, or lip color.
PPE - Answer-*Personal protective equipment* is clothing or tools that are designed to
protect from injury or sickness while working.
Examples include aprons, bibs, masks, safety glasses, goggles, and gloves. Properly
worn gloves create an effective barrier between you and your clients.
Piercing Gun - Answer-Mechanical stud and clasp ear piercing device used to force
needle or stud through ear.
Must use disposable, single-use, pre-sterilized stud and clasp that meets jewelry
requirements.
Procedure Area - Answer-A room, or designated portion of a room, that is set apart and
only used to perform body art.
Registration - Answer-A person shall not perform body art if he or she is not registered
with the LEA, and at any location other than a permitted permanent or temporary body
art facility.
