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Infection Control · single question

You poked your finger when injecting an HIV patient during anesthesia. What is the FIRST thing you do?

  1. Change gloves and proceed with treatment
  2. Wash your hand with soap and water
  3. Use alcohol hand sanitizer
  4. Don't mind it, proceed with treatment
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. Wash your hand with soap and water

  • A. Changing gloves and proceeding is completely inappropriate — the injury must be managed IMMEDIATELY with proper first aid and incident reporting.
  • B. The FIRST step after a needlestick or sharps injury is to IMMEDIATELY WASH the affected area with SOAP AND WATER for at least 15 minutes. This is the universally recommended first-line response per CDC and OSHA guidelines. Do NOT squeeze the wound. After washing: report to supervisor, complete incident report, seek post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) within 72 hours.
  • C. Alcohol sanitizer is NOT adequate for post-exposure wound first aid — it does not remove particulate blood from a wound site.
  • D. Ignoring a needlestick injury is unacceptable — this is a potential occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens and requires immediate action.

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