The infection-prevention nurse reviews actions after a needlestick injury. Which actions require follow-up? Highlight the actions that can injure tissue or delay appropriate post-exposure care.
Highlight in Table
Choose your responses, then check the answer.
Explanation
Applying bleach and forcefully squeezing the wound, waiting for source results before evaluation, and delaying the report until shift end require follow-up. Occupational exposure care is immediate and time-sensitive.
Quick answer Highlight forcefully squeezing the puncture and applying bleach, waiting for source results before seeking evaluation, and postponing the report until the shift ends. These actions can injure tissue or waste time.
Why this is correct The puncture should be washed with soap and water without caustic chemicals. The exposure must be reported and medically evaluated immediately because risk assessment, baseline testing, hepatitis B management, and HIV post-exposure prophylaxis are time-sensitive. Source testing can guide care, but evaluation should not wait for that result.[2][3]
Easy analogy or mental picture Think of a starting clock. Washing removes surface contamination, while reporting and evaluation start the medical response. Bleach damages the doorway, and waiting lets the clock run. The image does not estimate the actual transmission risk.
NCLEX decision rule When a sharp contaminated with blood punctures skin, wash with soap and water, report immediately, and obtain urgent confidential evaluation. Do not squeeze aggressively, use bleach, or delay care while waiting for source testing.
Why the other choices are wrong Immediate washing, prompt reporting, urgent evaluation, policy-based source testing, baseline laboratory testing, and recording exposure details all support safe post-exposure management.
References
[1]
NCSBN: 2026 NCLEX-RN Test PlanNational Council of State Boards of Nursing
[2]
CDC/NIOSH: Bloodborne Infectious Disease Risk FactorsCenters for Disease Control and Prevention
[3]
2025 U.S. Public Health Service Occupational HIV Exposure GuidelinesCenters for Disease Control and Prevention