OSHA Health Science Practice Test

An accidental puncture by a sharp object that is contaminated with a pathogen results in an injection of potentially infectious material into the body. This is because when a sharp object, such as a needle or broken glass, punctures the skin, it can introduce blood or other bodily fluids that carry pathogens directly into the bloodstream. This process essentially mimics the intended action of an injection, which is why B is the correct choice.

Understanding this is crucial in health science, particularly in settings like healthcare where bloodborne pathogens can pose significant risks. It highlights the importance of proper handling and disposal of sharp objects to prevent such incidents, as they can lead to serious infections or transmission of diseases such as HIV or Hepatitis. Other terms, such as contamination, reinfection, and exposure, describe related concepts but do not accurately capture the direct mechanism that occurs with puncture injuries from contaminated sharp objects.