Final answer:
Significant blood exposures in health-care settings include HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. Tuberculosis is not transmitted through blood and is not considered in this scenario. Preventative measures include using PPE, following post-exposure protocols, and maintaining high standards for disinfection.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of health-care settings, significant blood exposures refer to incidents where health-care staff are at risk of infection by coming into direct contact with a patient's blood. For the veteran nurse working with a new graduate who was exposed without personal protective equipment (PPE), the potential significant exposures include HIV, Hepatitis B (HBV), and Hepatitis C. Tuberculosis, while a serious disease, is not typically transmitted through blood exposure and therefore is not considered a significant blood exposure in this instance.
Occupational health protocols emphasize the need to use PPE to protect against these infections. In the case of exposure, there are guidelines for post-exposure prophylaxis, which may include treatments such as hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and vaccinations. The importance of prevention cannot be overstated, as it includes regular vaccinations, proper use of PPE, and maintaining rigorous standards for sterility and disinfection, for instance, by using a solution with 10% bleach as recommended by the CDC to disinfect surfaces.