A nurse accidentally sticks her hand with a syringe after administering an IM injection to a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Wash the area of the puncture thoroughly with soap and water.
Notify the employee health services
Complete an incident report
Report the incident to the charge nurse
The Correct Answer is A
A. Wash the area of the puncture thoroughly with soap and water: The first action the nurse should take after a needlestick injury is to immediately wash the area with soap and water. This is crucial for minimizing the risk of infection and exposure to potentially infectious materials. Prompt cleaning of the puncture site is essential in reducing the risk of transmission of bloodborne pathogens.
B. Notify employee health services: While notifying employee health services is important for follow-up care and evaluation, it should be done after the initial wound care has been performed. Immediate action should focus on cleaning the injury first.
C. Complete an incident report: Completing an incident report is a necessary step for documentation and accountability in the healthcare setting. However, it should be done after the immediate first aid for the needlestick injury has been addressed.
D. Report the incident to the charge nurse: Reporting the incident to the charge nurse is important for ensuring appropriate follow-up and support, but the priority should be to address the injury first. The nurse should take care of the puncture wound before notifying others about the incident.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Stand with the knees locked: Locking the knees can lead to instability and increase the risk of injury to both caregivers. It is important to maintain flexibility in the knees to facilitate movement and maintain balance while performing transfers.
B. Flex the hips and knees: This posture helps both caregivers maintain a low center of gravity and utilize their leg muscles for lifting and moving, which is essential for preventing injury. By bending at the hips and knees, caregivers can exert more force while reducing the strain on their backs, ensuring a safer transfer for both the patient and themselves.
C. Shift the body weight from the front leg to the back leg: While shifting body weight is important during lifting, it is more effective when done in conjunction with bending at the hips and knees. This option does not provide the most optimal posture for lifting and moving the patient safely.
D. Stand with the feet together: Standing with feet together decreases stability and balance, which can increase the risk of falling or injury during a transfer. Caregivers should stand with their feet shoulder-width apart to enhance their base of support and provide better stability while moving a patient.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. "I will wear gloves and a gown when bathing a client who has open skin lesions.": This statement indicates an understanding of the appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in a situation where there is a risk of exposure to blood or bodily fluids. Wearing gloves and a gown helps protect the AP from potential pathogens present in the client's open skin lesions.
B. "I will wear gloves when measuring a client's blood pressure.": While it may be appropriate to wear gloves for certain procedures, it is not universally required to wear gloves when measuring blood pressure unless there are specific concerns about contamination or exposure to body fluids. This statement does not demonstrate a clear understanding of when gloves are necessary.
C. "I will wear gloves whenever I am in contact with clients.": This statement suggests a lack of understanding of the appropriate use of gloves. Gloves should be used when there is a risk of contact with blood, body fluids, or open wounds, but they are not necessary for all interactions with clients, especially if there is no risk of contamination.
D. "I will wear gloves to minimize the number of times I have to wash my hands.": This statement indicates a misunderstanding of the primary purpose of gloves. Gloves are used to protect both the caregiver and the client from infection, and hand hygiene should still be performed before and after glove use. The focus should be on infection control rather than convenience.
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