Question

The risk of infection with HIV following one needle-stick exposure to blood from a patient known to be infected with HIV is approximately:

a) 0.3%
b) 3%
c) 30%
d) 50%

Answer 1

The risk of HIV infection from a single needle-stick exposure to HIV-infected blood is approximately 0.3%. It is important to follow post-exposure protocols to minimize this risk.

Step-by-step explanation:

The risk of infection with HIV following one needle-stick exposure to blood from a patient known to be infected with HIV is approximately 0.3%. This relatively low percentage reflects the effectiveness of the immune system in many cases, as well as the likelihood of exposure to very small amounts of blood in such incidents. However, it is crucial to take every needle-stick injury seriously, and appropriate protocols including post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) should be followed to further minimize the risk of HIV transmission.