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If a nurse does not retract needle, as a RN do you tell her or report her?

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Going to need more information as to what you mean by retracting the needle. Are you referring to a safety needle where there's a cover that goes over the used hypo? Was the sharp still disposed of properly? Is this something that has been ongoing or a one time observance? There's very little that should go straight to reporting vs. speaking with the other person.

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Specializes in EMT since 92, Paramedic since 97, RN and PHRN 2021.

Do you mean a protectacath?

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basically the needle was left exposed. Its a dumb, basic question on a test I had--don't know if my answer was right or wrong. My gut says you should say something directly.

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Specializes in EMT since 92, Paramedic since 97, RN and PHRN 2021.

I know if I see someone leave an exposed needle I'm gonna say something

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Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.

That's a strange question. If it's just a needle on a counter I would just put it in the red sharps disposal box and be done with it

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Specializes in Forensic Psychiatry.

If it is something like that, I may say something directly? I guess it would depend on the situation. If it went right into the sharps container I guess I wouldn't make a big deal of it. If it is left exposed on a counter or surface for others to potentially stick themselves then I would say something directly as it is a safety issue. It should be addressed immediately and you shouldn't wait for management to intervene.

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

Sounds like a poorly written homework question...

If a nurse does not retract needle, as a RN do you tell her or report her?
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