Members of the local emergency medical service unit have just transported an accident victim to the emergency department. They tell the ED nurse that the victim has AIDS, and they have blood on their hands and clothing.
The nurse advises them to wash their hands and to change any clothing that is wet with blood. The nurse talks to them about getting a baseline HIV test and about future testing. They ask the nurse how long it will take before they will know if they are infected. The nurse's response should be a. You will need to be tested in 6 weeks and regularly for the next 10 years, because that is the average length of time it takes to detect the virus by testing.
b. You will need to be tested in 3 months and again in 6 months, because 95 of people seroconvert to antibody-positive in 3 months and 99 in 6 months.
c. Transmission by occupational exposure is rare. There is no need for you to be concerned.
d. You will need to be tested in 3 weeks, because most people seroconvert in that length of time.
Question 2
A patient, age 25, has just been admitted to the unit with a diagnosis of AIDS. The nurse's colleague says, I'm pregnant. It is not safe for me or my baby if I am assigned to his case. The nurse's response should be
a. This patient would not be a risk for your baby if you use standard precautions and avoid direct contact with blood or body fluids.
b. You should ask for a transfer to another unit because contact with this patient would put you and your baby at risk for AIDS.
c. Wear a mask, gown, and gloves every time you go into his room and use disposable trays, plates, and utensils to serve his meals.
d. We should recommend that this patient be transferred to an isolation unit.
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