Question

While removing an IV infusion from the hand of a client who has AIDS, the nurse is struck with the needle. After washing the puncture site with soap & water, which action should the nurse take?

Answer 1

The nurse should report the incident to their supervisor, seek medical evaluation, and initiate post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) following hospital protocol, which may include HIV testing and counseling. Documentation of the incident and response measures is also crucial.

Step-by-step explanation:

After washing the puncture site with soap and water, the nurse should immediately report the incident to their supervisor and seek medical evaluation for potential exposure to HIV. Prompt post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) should be initiated as soon as possible, preferably within hours of the exposure. It is critical to follow the hospital's protocol for such incidents which typically includes incident reporting, evaluation by an occupational health professional, and possibly blood tests to check for potential infection of HIV or other bloodborne pathogens.

As part of the post-exposure follow-up, the nurse may be advised to undergo HIV testing at baseline and periodically for at least six months after the incident. Depending on the situation, the hospital may also suggest counseling and support services to help the nurse cope with the stress and implications of the needle stick injury. Thorough documentation of the incident and the steps taken in response is also vital for health and legal purposes.