While caring for a client, the nurse experiences a needle stick injury. Which of the following actions should the nurse cake first?

A. Complete an incident report: While completing an incident report is important for documentation purposes, it should not be the first action taken after a needle stick injury. Immediate attention to the wound by washing it with soap and water takes precedence to minimize the risk of infection.
B. Consent to postexposure treatment with antiretroviral medications: Postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) with antiretroviral medications may be indicated after a needle stick injury, particularly if there is a risk of exposure to HIV or other bloodborne pathogens. However, obtaining consent for PEP should follow immediate wound care.
C. Request the risk manager obtain consent for HIV testing from the client: While HIV testing may be necessary for the client involved in the incident, it is not the nurse's responsibility to obtain consent for testing. The priority is to address the nurse's own immediate health and safety by cleaning the wound and seeking appropriate medical evaluation and treatment.
D. Wash the site of injury with soap and water: The first action the nurse should take after experiencing a needle stick injury is to immediately wash the site of the injury with soap and water. This helps reduce the risk of infection by removing any potentially infectious material from the wound.

Answer: D

Rationale:

A. The American Hospital Association requires accredited facilities to have protocols in place requiring medication reconciliation: The American Hospital Association does advocate for medication reconciliation as part of safety protocols, but the primary focus of medication reconciliation is not solely based on AHA requirements. It is more about improving patient safety and preventing errors.

B. The nurse who performs medication reconciliation is demonstrating the ethical principle of veracity: While medication reconciliation involves accurate and truthful communication, it primarily serves to ensure safety and accuracy in medication management rather than directly demonstrating the ethical principle of veracity.

C. The International Council of Nurses Code of Ethics stipulates that the nurse performs medication reconciliation when a client is admitted to a facility, is transferred to another facility, and when a client is discharged from a facility: Although medication reconciliation is crucial at these points of care transition, the International Council of Nurses Code of Ethics does not explicitly mandate this process.

D. The purpose of medication reconciliation is to prevent adverse medication reactions: Medication reconciliation aims to ensure accurate medication lists and prevent errors, which in turn helps prevent adverse medication reactions. This aligns with the primary goal of the process, which is to enhance medication safety.