I was exposed to blood.

[nursing_student84]

I'm 23, and I work at a retirement home. Yesterday, I had a woman that had a bloody nose and she was bleeding all over herself. I quickly put on my gloves to help stop the bleeding. She also had a ice pack in her hand which she put on her nose. Well anyway, somone was calling me on the radio. Instead of answering it with a bloody glove I removed it to answer (this is where I screwed up). After I was done talking on the radio she dropped her ice pack, i wen't to pick it up with the ungloved hand (dumb reaction). Handed it to her, and then I realized what I done. I turned over my hand, and there was blood on the top of my finger tips. I quickly wen't over to the sink and washed my hands. I have no cuts or open sores on that hand. My hands were kinda dry from washing my hands all day. My thumb had started to peel alittle. Should I still get tested? This resident has a heart condition and she sometimes has trouble breathing. That is the only thing that is listed that she has. Although, the residents there are not required to tell us if they have aids or hepatitis.

[hypocaffeinemia, BSN, RN]

Unless you had blood to blood or blood to body fluid contact, the chance of catching a bloodborne pathogen is exceedingly rare. Especially in a patient with no known history of infectious disease.

Even still, you should write an incident report explaining what happened and report the exposure to your supervisor.

[mpccrn, BSN, RN]

you can fill out an IR and get tested if you push it. frankly i wouldn't worry about it. you are young yet. you'll be covered in someone elses blood better than what you described before you career is over.

[rjflyn, ASN, RN]

Working in the ER as I do I have the occasion to test hospital staff on the off hours after a "exposure". Sometimes it is subjective if you have a break your skin or not. One question though is at 23, is how are you washing your hands so much that they are peeling. Are you using soap and water every time? What waterless options, those are known to reduce problems or hand dryness. Also make sure you are using only approved lotions, some breakdown the gloves, others negate the effect of antibacterial in the soap

Also are you still using Latex, and are you allergic and not know it.

Rj

[BinkieRN, BSN, RN]

you can fill out an IR and get tested if you push it. frankly i wouldn't worry about it. you are young yet. you'll be covered in someone elses blood better than what you described before you career is over.

What kind of encouragement is that? Yes she can get tested, doubt it is necessary but if it makes her feel better why not? I agree she should fill out a SOE.

There's no reason why she should expect to be covered in someone's else blood with more coverage than with this incident. Unfortunately accidents do happen but we strive to be safe at all times and treat all patients as if they are HIV or Hep positive. Being young has nothing to do with following proper procedures and you should never get more lax with procedure just because you get older