Prepare for the ARRT Patient Care Exam. Access multiple choice questions with detailed explanations. Enhance your study experience and boost your exam readiness!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


Which of the following can be transmitted via infected blood?

  1. HBV only

  2. HBV and AIDS only

  3. AIDS and TB only

  4. HBV, AIDS, and TB

The correct answer is: HBV and AIDS only

The correct choice indicates that both HBV (Hepatitis B Virus) and AIDS (caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV) can be transmitted through infected blood. Bloodborne pathogens like HBV and HIV are primarily transmitted through direct contact with infected blood, which can occur through various means such as needle stick injuries, sharing syringes, or transfusions with contaminated blood. Hepatitis B is a viral infection that affects the liver and is highly infectious, making it a significant concern in healthcare settings. Likewise, HIV can lead to AIDS and is also frequently transmitted through blood. Therefore, the presence of both viruses in the correct choice emphasizes the understanding of their transmission routes. In contrast, tuberculosis (TB) is primarily an airborne infection that spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. While TB can spread to other bodily fluids in severe cases, its primary transmission route does not involve blood, which is why it is not included in the correct option. By recognizing the respective modes of transmission of these diseases, it becomes clear why the focus remains on HBV and AIDS when considering infections that can be spread through infected blood.