Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) SLC Practice Exam

What can serve as a reservoir for infection?

1. A person with a chronic illness

2. An inert surface not contaminated

3. A healthy individual

4. A piece of medical equipment

The correct answer is: A piece of medical equipment

Infectious agents require a suitable environment to survive and multiply, which is referred to as a reservoir for infection. A piece of medical equipment can be a reservoir when it is contaminated with pathogens, providing an avenue for these pathogens to remain viable and potentially transfer to patients or healthcare providers. In healthcare settings, medical equipment is often exposed to bodily fluids or skin contact, making it particularly susceptible to contamination if not adequately sterilized or cleaned. The other options do not align with the concept of a reservoir in the same way. For example, while a person with a chronic illness may harbor infectious agents, they are not considered a reservoir unless they are actively transmitting the infection. Healthy individuals generally do not serve as reservoirs because they do not carry infectious agents. An inert surface not contaminated does not present any risk for infection as it lacks the pathogens required for transmission. Thus, a piece of medical equipment, especially if it is not properly sterilized, clearly fits the criteria for serving as a reservoir for infection.