Which process will be required after exposure of a nurse to blood ...

[jerry coleman]

Which process will be required after exposure of a nurse to blood by a cut from a used scalpel in the operative area?
 
  a. Placing the scalpel in a needle safe container
  b. Testing the patient and offering treatment to the nurse
  c. Removing sterile gloves and disposing of in kick bucket
  d. Providing a medical evaluation of the nurse to the manager

Question 2

The nurse is caring for a patient who has a bloodborne pathogen. The nurse splashes blood above the glove to intact skin while discontinuing an intravenous (IV) infusion. Which step(s) will the nurse take next?
 
  a. Obtain an alcohol swab, remove the blood with an alcohol swab, and continue care.
  b. Immediately wash the site with soap and running water, and seek guidance from the manager.
  c. Do nothing; accidentally getting splashed with blood happens frequently and is part of the job.
  d. Delay washing of the site until the nurse is finished providing care to the patient.

[eliasc0401]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Follow-up for risk of infection begins with patient testing. Patients should be tested for HIV and hepatitis B and C. Testing of the nurse is dependent on the results of patient testing; if the patient is positive for one of these infections, the nurse will be started on testing and treatment. Removing sterile gloves and placing sharps in appropriate containers are always part of the perioperative process and are not the process for postexposure. A confidential medical evaluation is provided to the nurse, not the manager.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
After getting splashed with blood from a patient who has a known bloodborne pathogen, it is important to cleanse the site immediately and thoroughly with soap and running water and notify the manager for guidance on next steps in the process. Removing the blood with an alcohol swab, delaying washing, and doing nothing because the splash was to intact skin could possibly spread the blood within the room and could spread the infection. Contain contamination immediately to prevent contact spread.