A nurse is administering an intramuscular injection to a client and sustains a percutaneous needlestick injury from the used needle. Arrange the following actions the nurse should take in the correct order of priority.
- 1Remove the contaminated gloves and discard them in an appropriate biohazard receptacle.
- 2Wash the punctured site thoroughly with soap and running water.
- 3Notify the nursing supervisor or charge nurse of the exposure incident.
- 4Proceed to the occupational health department for baseline testing and medical evaluation.
- 5Complete a formal facility incident report documenting the details of the exposure.
Answer
The nurse should first remove the contaminated gloves, then wash the puncture site with soap and water, notify the nursing supervisor, report to occupational health for evaluation, and finally complete the facility incident report.
According to occupational safety and CDC guidelines for bloodborne pathogen exposure, the nurse must prioritize physiological safety. The sequence begins with removing contaminated PPE (gloves) and immediately performing first aid by washing the puncture site with soap and water. Once decontamination is complete, the nurse must notify the supervisor to activate the facility's exposure protocol. This facilitates the next step of immediate medical evaluation at occupational health or the emergency department, where post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) can be initiated if necessary. Finally, the nurse completes the incident report, as administrative tasks are the lowest priority and must not delay care.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Occupational Exposure and Bloodborne Pathogen Protocol