Final answer:
The nurse should first wash the puncture area with soap and water, then report to the charge nurse, seek medical attention at the employee health services, and complete an incident report as a subsequent action.
Step-by-step explanation:
The immediate action a nurse should take after accidentally sticking herself with a syringe needle is to wash the puncture area thoroughly with soap and water. This first step is essential for reducing the risk of infection by immediately cleansing the site of any potential pathogens.
After washing the injury site, the nurse should then report the incident to the charge nurse and visit employee health services for further evaluation and potential prophylactic treatment. Additionally, completing an incident report is an important step but comes after addressing the potential wound.
Given the risk of infection from needle sticks, health personnel are instructed to wear protective equipment, such as coats, face protection, and gloves, and to immediately wash any skin contact with contaminants to prevent transmission of infections.After washing the area, the nurse should then report the incident to the charge nurse, who can provide guidance and support for the next steps. The charge nurse may also initiate the necessary procedures for incident reporting and follow-up.
While completing an incident report and seeking medical evaluation and follow-up from employee health services are important, they should be done after the immediate action of washing the puncture area and reporting the incident.