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?
Complete an incident report.
Receive a hepatitis C immunization.
Notify the health department.
Start prophylactic antibiotic therapy
The Correct Answer is A
A. Complete an incident report.
Reporting a needlestick injury through an incident report is crucial. It documents the details of the incident, which is important for the nurse's safety and for initiating appropriate follow-up actions.
B. Receive a hepatitis C immunization:
There is no specific hepatitis C vaccine available. While there are vaccines for hepatitis A and hepatitis B, there is currently no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C. Seeking post-exposure prophylaxis and follow-up is more relevant in this case.
C. Notify the health department:
Notifying the health department might be necessary in some cases, but the immediate action for the nurse is to report the incident through an incident report within the facility. This allows for prompt internal investigation and necessary measures.
D. Start prophylactic antibiotic therapy:
Prophylactic antibiotic therapy is not the standard protocol for preventing hepatitis C transmission after a needlestick injury. Antiviral medications might be considered in certain cases for post-exposure prophylaxis for hepatitis C, but this decision should be made after consulting with a healthcare provider or infectious disease specialist based on the specific circumstances of the exposure. Reporting the incident remains the immediate priority.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Perform CPR on the client:
CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) is a critical and time-sensitive intervention during a cardiac arrest. An assistive personnel trained in CPR can initiate chest compressions while awaiting further medical assistance.
B. Assist with airway intubation:
Airway intubation is a more advanced skill typically performed by healthcare providers such as physicians or advanced practice nurses. It is beyond the scope of practice for most assistive personnel.
C. Maintain IV access:
Maintaining IV access may require specific skills and knowledge about medications and fluids. While some assistive personnel may be trained in certain aspects of IV care, the level of expertise needed during a cardiac arrest may be beyond their scope.
D. Place defibrillator pads on the client:
Applying defibrillator pads involves handling medical equipment and making critical decisions about when to deliver a shock. This task is typically performed by healthcare providers trained in advanced cardiac life support (ACLS).
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Docusate sodium 200 mg PO at bedtime:
This prescription is clear. It specifies the medication (Docusate sodium), the dose (200 mg), and the time of administration (at bedtime).
Meloxicam 15 mg PO daily:
This prescription is clear. It specifies the medication (Meloxicam), the dose (15 mg), and the frequency (daily).
Regular insulin 8 units subcutaneous before meals:
Regular insulin 8 units subcutaneous before meals is a vague and potentially dangerous prescription. Regular insulin is a short-acting insulin that lowers blood glucose levels by facilitating the uptake of glucose into the cells. The dose of insulin should be individualized based on the client's blood glucose level, carbohydrate intake, and activity level. The nurse should contact the provider for clarification on how to adjust the dose according to the client's needs.
Fentanyl 25 mcg/hr transdermal patch:
Fentanyl patches are commonly used for chronic pain management. A dose of 25 mcg/hr is within the standard dosing range for patients who are opioid-tolerant. No clarification is typically needed for this prescription.
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