The nurse is caring for a patient who has a bloodborne pathogen. The nurse splashes blood above the glove to intact skin while discontinuing an intravenous (IV) infusion. Which step(s) will the nurse take next?
a. Obtain an alcohol swab, remove the blood with an alcohol swab, and continue care.
b. Immediately wash the site with soap and running water, and seek guidance from the manager.
c. Do nothing; accidentally getting splashed with blood happens frequently and is part of the job.
d. Delay washing of the site until the nurse is finished providing care to the patient.
ANS: B
After getting splashed with blood from a patient who has a known bloodborne pathogen, it is important to cleanse the site immediately and thoroughly with soap and running water and notify the manager for guidance on next steps in the process. Removing the blood with an alcohol swab, delaying washing, and doing nothing because the splash was to intact skin could possibly spread the blood within the room and could spread the infection. Contain contamination immediately to prevent contact spread.
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