Final answer:
If exposed to blood or other potentially infectious material, contact your supervisor, who will guide you through the appropriate post-exposure protocols, including washing the skin and potential HBIG treatment.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you are exposed to blood or other potentially infectious material, the first person you should contact is your supervisor. This is especially important for health-care workers who are frequently at risk of exposure to infectious diseases through contact with body fluids such as blood, semen, and saliva. It is essential to follow detailed protocols for managing exposure, which includes immediate washing of the exposed skin with soap and water and consulting with your supervisor for further instructions regarding post-exposure treatment. Precautions such as wearing gloves, face protection, and using disposable syringes and needles greatly reduce the risk of infection. Following exposure, healthcare workers may need hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and vaccination, depending on the situation.