needle stick risk

If the needle was capped, how can it stick anyone?

It does. I know that if you are poked with a needle through a latex glove, the glove wicks off 1/2 of the blood as it punctures through the latex, making it less risky.

Do we need to lecture on the dangers of recapping?

No, no lecture required. Just wondering if needle poked through cap and person was stuck, would exposure decrease.

Anytime you are using needles you MUST stay aware. I have only ever been stuck twice, in the same place (my middle finger) with a sterile needle (luckily). Being a phlebo for the past 5 years (nursing student atm), i got into some good habits about needles but injuries do happen. Try to take the time to make sure of your safety - espeically with dirty needles. Make sure you stop most anything else, if you can, and get rid of that needle. Don't place on a table to take care of later, etc. I know that sometimes that situations dictate that you do that but make that the exception and you should be safer.

The short answer is, yes - any dirty needle can cause blood bourne disease. The amount of blood still on the needle going through the gloves and cap will be greatly decreased and the less blood left is better chances for you.