A dentist opens a needle cap before the patient arrives and sustains a needlestick injury (before any patient contact). What is the MOST appropriate next step for patient care?

Correct answer: C. Replace the carpule, needle, and gloves with fresh sterile supplies, then proceed with treatment

• A. Incorrect. Using the same contaminated supplies on the patient is absolutely unacceptable.
• B. Incorrect. Incident report is important but is not the first priority action for patient safety.
• C. Correct. Since the needlestick occurred BEFORE patient contact, all contaminated supplies (carpule, needle, gloves) must be REPLACED with fresh sterile ones before proceeding with the patient's treatment. The dentist's own wound/exposure management follows after patient care or via delegation.
• D. Incorrect. PEP is based on specific exposure circumstances (source patient HIV status, injury type). This injury occurred BEFORE patient contact — no patient exposure to evaluate immediately. PEP decision is made after occupational health evaluation.