Blood Exposure

[HelloNurse 24]

I'm a new ED nurse and cut myself with a knife washing dishes a couple of days ago. Today I was inserting an I.V. in this 64 yr old female, I got the IV in fine took off my gloves to tape and some blood got on the same finger that I recently cut.

I immediately washed my hands with soap, soaked my finger in peroxide, dropped a couple of drops of betadine on it and then covered my finger up. I asked the lady her status of hep & hiv she said she recently got tested and it was negative.

Any advice?? Should I take meds?? Please help!!!!!!!!!!

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

We can't tell you if you should take the meds or not, that's you're decision to weigh the risks and benefits.

When I had an exposure I opted out of the meds because of the side effects, the low risk factors from the patient, and waited until the patients results came back. It's a gamble because the meds are most effective when taken at the time of exposure.

Good luck.

[HelloNurse 24]

Thanks. I know I'm at risk because my skin was broken but it was an healing cut so there was some scab not sure if that makes a difference. I'm so confused and scared at this point. I didnt tell any of the managers or doctor's maybe i should???

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I would have informed them, so that you can either be treated, or if you needed time off for compensation. The longer it takes to tell them, the worse it is. I would tell them tomorrow.

[TiredMD]

Thanks. I know I'm at risk because my skin was broken but it was an healing cut so there was some scab not sure if that makes a difference. I'm so confused and scared at this point. I didnt tell any of the managers or doctor's maybe i should???

You should have told them immediately. You still should tell them. They can provide far better counseling than you will receive via the internet.

It also would have allowed you to do source testing on the patient (at least potentially).

A well-approximated wound will epithelialize in 24-48hrs, and which point your risk goes way down. But in your case, it depends on how gaping the wound was, and to what degree it has healed.

You should report to employee health.

[HelloNurse 24]

"A well-approximated wound will epithelialize in 24-48hrs, and which point your risk goes way down. But in your case, it depends on how gaping the wound was, and to what degree it has healed."

Its definitely over 48 hours old. Its a slice wound so the wound underneath is healed but the skin is sliced.

[back2bRN]

Any time you are exposed to blood it is quite scary. You should absolutely tell your manager/charge nurse right away. They can then refer you to the appropriate employee assistance program. I was one who opted for meds with my exposure. But that is your choice to make and keeping it to yourself won't give you the tangible support you require at this time. It is excellent you reached out, but now it is time to take the next step. Good luck.

[CHATSDALE]

if it is a couple of days from cut to exposure i believe that the risk is low

definitely fill out a incidient report asap request a testing which usually covers about 6 months staggered out if same as i remember

why did you ask the woman her status, did she say why she was tested? had she had a recent exposure??

[HelloNurse 24]

I asked her because i was exposed. she goes to the dr frequently she had all her meds with her. she has chronic copd

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

She must have had some risk factors if she was tested. COPD patients aren't routinely tested are they? On the chance that you will get sick, and I think it's a slim chance, you need to have documentation so worker's comp. will cover everything. Unless you report it, you're on your own.

Again, it's not the purpose of Allnurses to tell you, or even advise you, on what to do, only you can decide that, but to share our own experiences.