After a needle stick occurs while removing the cap from a sterile
needle, which action should the nurse implement?
A. Complete an incident report.
B. Select another sterile needle.
C. Disinfect the needle with an alcohol swab.
D. Notify the supervisor of the department immediately.
B
Rationale: After a needle stick, the needle is considered used, so the
nurse should discard it and select another needle. Because the needle
was sterile when the nurse was stuck and the needle was not in
contact with any other person's body fluids, the nurse does not need
to complete an incident report or notify the occupational health
nurse. Disinfecting a needle with an alcohol swab is not in accordance
with standards for safe practice and infection control.
needle, which action should the nurse implement?
A. Complete an incident report.
B. Select another sterile needle.
C. Disinfect the needle with an alcohol swab.
D. Notify the supervisor of the department immediately.
B
Rationale: After a needle stick, the needle is considered used, so the
nurse should discard it and select another needle. Because the needle
was sterile when the nurse was stuck and the needle was not in
contact with any other person's body fluids, the nurse does not need
to complete an incident report or notify the occupational health
nurse. Disinfecting a needle with an alcohol swab is not in accordance
with standards for safe practice and infection control.
