A nurse has sustained a needlestick injury from a needle he used to give an injection to a client who has hepatitis C. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Complete an incident report.
Receive a hepatitis C immunization.
Notify the health department.
Start prophylactic antibiotic therapy
The Correct Answer is A
A. Complete an incident report.
Reporting a needlestick injury through an incident report is crucial. It documents the details of the incident, which is important for the nurse's safety and for initiating appropriate follow-up actions.
B. Receive a hepatitis C immunization:
There is no specific hepatitis C vaccine available. While there are vaccines for hepatitis A and hepatitis B, there is currently no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C. Seeking post-exposure prophylaxis and follow-up is more relevant in this case.
C. Notify the health department:
Notifying the health department might be necessary in some cases, but the immediate action for the nurse is to report the incident through an incident report within the facility. This allows for prompt internal investigation and necessary measures.
D. Start prophylactic antibiotic therapy:
Prophylactic antibiotic therapy is not the standard protocol for preventing hepatitis C transmission after a needlestick injury. Antiviral medications might be considered in certain cases for post-exposure prophylaxis for hepatitis C, but this decision should be made after consulting with a healthcare provider or infectious disease specialist based on the specific circumstances of the exposure. Reporting the incident remains the immediate priority.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Fidelity refers to the concept of keeping promises or commitments made to clients. In this scenario, the nurse is demonstrating fidelity by informing the client that they will return as soon as possible with pain medication, indicating a commitment to addressing the client's needs promptly.
B. Justice pertains to fairness and equitable distribution of resources. It is not demonstrated in this scenario where the nurse is making a commitment to address the client's pain.
C. Autonomy involves respecting the client's right to make their own decisions and choices about their care. The nurse, in this case, is not specifically addressing the client's autonomy but rather demonstrating fidelity by committing to providing pain medication.
D. Nonmaleficence is the principle of doing no harm and ensuring the client's safety. While providing pain medication aligns with nonmaleficence by addressing the client's pain, the specific action of informing the client about the intent to return promptly falls more under the principle of fidelity.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Fidelity: Fidelity refers to the concept of keeping promises and being faithful to commitments made to individuals. In this scenario, when the nurse states they will return as soon as possible with pain medication, they are making a commitment to the client and demonstrating fidelity by keeping that promise.
Justice: Justice pertains to fairness and the equitable distribution of resources. It is not directly related to the nurse's commitment to providing pain medication.
Autonomy: Autonomy involves respecting the individual's right to make decisions about their own care. While informing the client about the plan for pain medication is part of communication, the primary ethical principle being demonstrated here is fidelity.
Nonmaleficence: Nonmaleficence is the principle of doing no harm. While it is important in healthcare, the scenario described focuses more on the nurse's commitment to providing pain relief.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.