Final answer:
The first step in responding to a blood exposure incident is thorough washing of the area with soap and water. Health-care workers should wear protective gear and use appropriate disinfectants like 10% bleach solution for contaminated surfaces. Emergency protocols and post-exposure treatments are essential in managing potential infections from blood-borne illnesses.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first step in responding to a blood exposure incident is immediate and thorough washing of the affected area with soap and water. The main objective is to reduce the risk of infection from pathogens present in the blood. This procedure is particularly important for health-care workers who are at risk of being exposed to blood-borne illnesses like Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). If the skin is injured, forming a blood clot is the body's natural response to stop bleeding, followed by other wound-healing processes.
Health-care workers should also take precautions to avoid contact with potentially infectious materials, including wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, face protection, and fire-resistant clothing in certain rescue scenarios. In the event of dealing with substances potentially infected with blood-borne pathogens, equipment should be disinfected with a solution, such as that recommended by the CDC which includes 10% bleach, to prevent the spread of infection.
In an emergency situation where a patient is bleeding profusely and at risk of contracting a blood-borne illness, it is vital to manage the bleeding while also considering the patient's potential infectious status. This involves administering first aid and ensuring that exposed skin in contact with blood is washed. In case of severe bleeding where transfusion is necessary, and the blood type is unknown, type O negative blood is used as it is the universal donor type and minimizes the risk of transfusion reactions.