Following a needlestick injury, the nurse's immediate actions should be to remove their gloves and thoroughly wash the affected area with soap and water. Exposure should be reported to the nurse's supervisor and the facility exposure hotline as soon as possible to facilitate the evaluation process. The nurse should then seek evaluation and treatment from the employee health clinic or emergency department. Blood should be drawn for baseline testing, and postexposure prophylaxis will be given based on the risk of exposure. Postexposure prophylaxis for HIV infection is most effective when given within two hours of an exposure incident.
Educational objective: After a needlestick injury, the nurse should remove gloves, wash the area, report the incident to the facility exposure office, and proceed to employee health for baseline blood draw and possible postexposure prophylaxis.
Following a needlestick injury, the nurse's immediate actions should be to remove their gloves and thoroughly wash the affected area with soap and water. Exposure should be reported to the nurse's supervisor and the facility exposure hotline as soon as possible to facilitate the evaluation process. The nurse should then seek evaluation and treatment from the employee health clinic or emergency department. Blood should be drawn for baseline testing, and postexposure prophylaxis will be given based on the risk of exposure. Postexposure prophylaxis for HIV infection is most effective when given within two hours of an exposure incident.
Educational objective: After a needlestick injury, the nurse should remove gloves, wash the area, report the incident to the facility exposure office, and proceed to employee health for baseline blood draw and possible postexposure prophylaxis.
