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.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Scarlet fever is caused by a bacterium that produces a toxin leading to a rash. It is typically spread through respiratory droplets, and while standard precautions are necessary, an N95 respirator is not required.
Choice B reason: Tuberculosis is an airborne infectious disease that requires the use of an N95 respirator to protect against inhaling the bacteria, especially in cases of pulmonary tuberculosis. This type of respirator filters out at least 95% of airborne particles, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Choice C reason: Mycoplasmal pneumonia, also known as "walking pneumonia," is caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae and is typically less severe than other types of bacterial pneumonia. Standard precautions, including the use of surgical masks, may be sufficient unless there is a risk of aerosol-generating procedures.
Choice D reason: Scabies is caused by a mite that burrows into the skin. It is spread through direct skin-to-skin contact, and an N95 respirator is not needed for protection against scabies.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Cleaning the incision with soap and water is not typically recommended as it can disrupt the healing process and may lead to irritation or infection. The incision should be kept clean and dry, and any cleaning should be done according to the surgeon's instructions.
Choice B reason: Performing hand hygiene before dressing changes is essential in preventing incisional infections. Hand hygiene is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of infections, including those at surgical sites.
Choice C reason: Protective isolation is used for immunocompromised patients to protect them from infections, not typically for postoperative patients unless they are at high risk for infection due to other conditions.
Choice D reason: Allowing the wound to air can be part of the healing process, but it must be done carefully and under the guidance of healthcare professionals to ensure that the wound is protected from contamination.
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