Start practicing

Infection Control · single question

The ranking of bloodborne pathogen infectiousness from LEAST to MOST infectious is:

  1. HBV < HCV < HIV
  2. HIV < HBV < HCV
  3. HCV < HIV < HBV
  4. HIV < HCV < HBV
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: D. HIV < HCV < HBV

  • A. HBV is not the least infectious — it is the most infectious of the three in dental settings.
  • B. HBV is NOT less infectious than HCV. HBV is the most dangerous for dental workers.
  • C. This order is incorrect. HIV is least infectious, not HCV.
  • D. Correct. HIV is the least transmissible of the three (requires direct blood contact, low viral load). HCV is intermediate. HBV is the most infectious — it can survive on surfaces for up to 7 days and has a much higher transmission rate per needlestick than HIV or HCV.

Practice Infection Control questions Infection Control study notes

More Infection Control practice questions