A nurse has accidentally punctured his finger with a needle he used to give an IM injection to a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Wash the puncture site with soap and water.
Squeeze as much blood as possible from the puncture site.
Flush the puncture site with water for 5 minutes.
Begin postexposure prophylaxis the following day.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: The first step after a needlestick injury is to wash the wound with soap and water to reduce the risk of infection. This helps to remove any pathogens that may have been introduced into the puncture site.
Choice B reason: Squeezing the puncture site is not recommended because it can cause further injury to the tissue and does not effectively reduce the risk of bloodborne pathogen transmission.
Choice C reason: Flushing the puncture site with water is a good practice, but it should be done immediately, not just for 5 minutes. The initial washing is more critical.
Choice D reason: Postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) should be started as soon as possible, ideally within hours and no later than 72 hours after potential exposure to HIV. Waiting until the following day could decrease the effectiveness of PEP.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Protective precautions are used to shield immunocompromised patients from infections, not typically for patients with meningococcal pneumonia.
Choice B reason: Contact precautions are used for infections that are spread by direct contact with the patient or the patient's environment. Meningococcal pneumonia is not primarily spread this way.
Choice C reason: Airborne precautions are for diseases that are spread through the air over long distances, such as tuberculosis. Meningococcal pneumonia is not spread in this manner.
Choice D reason: Droplet precautions are recommended for meningococcal pneumonia. This infection can be spread through droplets from the respiratory tract when the infected person coughs or sneezes. Therefore, droplet precautions, including the use of masks, are necessary to prevent the spread of this infection.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Clean gloves are necessary when touching or being in close proximity to any wound, especially one that is infected with MRSA. MRSA is a highly contagious bacterium that can spread through direct contact with the infected area or through indirect contact with contaminated objects. Wearing clean gloves helps prevent the transmission of MRSA to the nurse and to other patients.
Choice B reason: Protective eyewear is not typically required for checking a patient's pulse. However, if there is a risk of splashing or spraying of bodily fluids, protective eyewear becomes necessary to protect the mucous membranes of the eyes from exposure to infectious materials.
Choice C reason: Sterile gloves are used during procedures that require an aseptic technique, such as the changing of a sterile dressing or during invasive procedures. Checking a patient's pulse does not require sterile gloves, as it is not an aseptic procedure.
Choice D reason: A surgical mask should be worn if there is a risk of droplet transmission or if the nurse will be in close contact with the patient's wound. MRSA can be present in nasal secretions and can be spread by droplets, so wearing a mask can provide an additional layer of protection against the transmission of MRSA.
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