A nurse accidentally sticks her hand with a syringe needle after administering an IM injection to a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Report the incident to the charge nurse.
Wash the area of the puncture thoroughly with soap and water.
Go to employee health services.
Complete an incident report.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale:
Reporting the incident to the charge nurse is important, but it's not the first action to take in this situation. The immediate concern should be addressing the potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
Choice B rationale:
This is the correct choice. Washing the area of the puncture thoroughly with soap and water is the first step the nurse should take after an accidental needlestick. It helps reduce the risk of infection by cleaning the wound and removing any potential contaminants.
Choice C rationale:
Going to employee health services is a valid step, but it's not the immediate action needed after an accidental needlestick. Cleaning the wound should come first.
Choice D rationale:
Completing an incident report is important for documentation purposes, but it is not the nurse's first priority in this situation. Immediate wound care takes precedence.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The correct answer is: d. Protective. Protective precautions are crucial for clients who have had an allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplant due to their severely weakened immune systems.
Choice A reason:
Airborne precautions are used for infections that spread through the air, such as tuberculosis and measles. These infections require special ventilation and respiratory protection, which is not the primary concern for stem-cell transplant patients.
Choice B reason:
Contact precautions are used for infections spread by direct contact, like MRSA or C. difficile. These precautions involve wearing gloves and gowns but do not address the airborne or droplet risks that immunocompromised patients face.
Choice C reason:
Droplet precautions are for infections spread by large respiratory droplets, such as influenza or pertussis. While important, they do not provide the comprehensive protection needed for stem-cell transplant recipients.
Choice D reason:
Protective precautions involve placing the patient in a room with HEPA filtration and limiting visitors to minimize infection risk. This is essential for patients with compromised immune systems, such as those who have undergone allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplants.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Asking the patient why this medication has been ordered is not the appropriate action because patients might not have accurate medical knowledge to provide a valid explanation for the prescription. The nurse should rely on healthcare professionals for accurate information.
Choice B rationale:
Verifying with the hospital administration is not necessary in this situation. The decision to prescribe medication is made by the healthcare provider, not the hospital administration.
Choice C rationale:
Verifying with the prescribing healthcare provider is the most appropriate action. The healthcare provider has the medical knowledge and rationale for prescribing a specific medication. This ensures that the nurse administers the medication safely and in alignment with the patient's condition and treatment plan.
Choice D rationale:
Asking another nurse might not yield accurate information about the rationale behind the medication order. It's best to directly communicate with the healthcare provider responsible for the patient's care.
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