Question

While giving a patient an injection, the patient jumped, causing the phlebotomist to get stuck on the hand with a contaminated needle. After performing thorough hand washing the following should the phlebotomist do first?

Answer 1

After a needlestick injury and thorough handwashing, a phlebotomist should report the incident to their supervisor, seek immediate medical evaluation for potential exposure, and initiate PEP as recommended.

Step-by-step explanation:

The phlebotomist should immediately report the incident to their supervisor and seek medical evaluation for potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Protocols for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) should be initiated as recommended. If a phlebotomist is injured with a contaminated needle, they must take immediate action beyond thorough handwashing. It is essential to follow the facility's protocol for needlestick injuries, which typically includes notifying a supervisor and seeking medical attention.

This evaluation is critical to assess the risk of transmission of infections, such as HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may be required depending on the source patient's infection status. PEP involves taking antiretroviral medications as soon as possible to reduce the likelihood of seroconversion after potential exposure to HIV.