Which of the following is NOT listed as a means of exposure for a bloodborne disease?

Which of the following is NOT listed as a means of exposure for a bloodborne disease?

• A. Hair
• B. Skin
• C. Eyes
• D. Mucous membranes

Answer: (A)

Exposure to bloodborne diseases occurs through routes that provide a portal for pathogens to enter the body. The recognized entry points are percutaneous exposure through the skin (like cuts, punctures, or breaks in skin) and contact with mucous membranes such as the eyes, or other mucous membranes (mouth, nose). Hair does not serve as a portal for entry in standard exposure control guidelines, so it isn’t listed as a means of exposure. That’s why hair is the correct choice. The other routes—skin, eyes, and mucous membranes—are valid exposure pathways.

Exposure to bloodborne diseases occurs through routes that provide a portal for pathogens to enter the body. The recognized entry points are percutaneous exposure through the skin (like cuts, punctures, or breaks in skin) and contact with mucous membranes such as the eyes, or other mucous membranes (mouth, nose). Hair does not serve as a portal for entry in standard exposure control guidelines, so it isn’t listed as a means of exposure. That’s why hair is the correct choice. The other routes—skin, eyes, and mucous membranes—are valid exposure pathways.