A nurse has sustained a needlestick injury from a needle he used to give an injection to a client who has hepatitis C. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A.
Complete an incident report.
B.
Receive a hepatitis C immunization.
C.
Notify the health department.
D.
Start prophylactic antibiotic therapy
The Correct answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is A. Complete an incident report.
When a nurse sustains a needlestick injury, especially from a needle used on a client with hepatitis C, the priority action is to document the incident thoroughly through an incident report. This report is crucial for multiple reasons: it provides a formal record of the exposure, which is essential for tracking incidents in the workplace, allows for the evaluation of safety protocols, and is necessary for any potential follow-up actions regarding the exposure.
In the context of needlestick injuries, immediate assessment of the injury is also critical, but the completion of an incident report helps establish accountability and prompts the necessary follow-up procedures. Following the documentation, the nurse should seek medical evaluation as soon as possible. This may include blood tests to assess baseline hepatitis C status and the implementation of post-exposure protocols.
Options B, C, and D are not appropriate immediate responses to a needlestick injury involving hepatitis C. There is no immunization available for hepatitis C, which renders option B irrelevant. Notifying the health department (option C) is generally unnecessary for individual needlestick injuries unless there’s an outbreak or broader public health concern. Starting prophylactic antibiotic therapy (option D) is also incorrect; while post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a critical intervention for certain infectious diseases (such as HIV), there is no proven effective PEP for hepatitis C, and treatment typically involves antiviral medication after confirming an infection.
In summary, the best initial action is to complete an incident report, as it ensures proper documentation and starts the necessary follow-up care for the injured nurse while also contributing to workplace safety improvements.