Which of the following is an effective way to protect yourself from biological hazards in a microbiology laboratory?

• A. Eating and drinking at the laboratory bench
• B. Wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
• C. Storing food with laboratory samples
• D. Ignoring handwashing after handling specimens

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that biological hazards in a microbiology laboratory include exposure to infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi that can cause illness.
2. Recognize that personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, lab coats, and eye protection acts as a barrier to prevent direct contact with these hazardous agents.
3. Identify unsafe practices such as eating, drinking, or storing food in the laboratory, which increase the risk of ingesting harmful microorganisms.
4. Acknowledge the importance of handwashing after handling specimens to remove any contaminants and reduce the risk of infection.
5. Conclude that wearing appropriate PPE is an effective and recommended method to protect yourself from biological hazards in the lab, while the other options increase risk.