Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 90%
Simulated
While caring for a client, the nurse experiences a needle stick injury. Which of the following actions should the first?
Correct answer
D
Rationale
The correct answer is D: Wash the site of injury with soap and water. This is the first action that should be taken in the event of a needle stick injury to prevent infection. Washing the site immediately helps reduce the risk of transmission of any pathogens. Completing an incident report (A) should be done after initial care. Requesting HIV testing consent from the client (B) is not necessary as the focus should be on the nurse's health first. Consenting to postexposure treatment (C) should be done after washing the site.