Needle stick!

Nurses Stress 101

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First please don't judge me for my stupidity! Ok so I'm in nursing school and when I was trying to draw blood from a patient (an 18 y/o on a pediatric floor) I missed and took out the butterfly needle and accidentally pricked myself! Because I thought I would get in trouble for being careless I didn't report it! the patient had just been tested for HIV a few days before and was negative. All the LFTs were normal and the patient had been tested for hep b and c a year before so o figured what are the odds she contracted hepatitis in the past year but now a month and a half later I'm still freaking out! If I test now for hepatitis (i received my vaccines for hep b so I'm more concerned about hep c) how accurate with it be?

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

Hi and welcome to AN.

Sorry that you're posting an issue that is stressful. My piece of advice is to never NOT report a needle stick. Regardless of your level of experience, needle sticks happen and is notthing to be either ashamed of or penalized for.

We unfortunately can't tell whether this patient has Hepatitis C or not.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Just go to a clinic and get tested. Then you can stop obsessing and move on so it doesn't weigh on you.

I agree w the previous poster ... Even experienced nurses get needle sticks, so next time make sure you report it.

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

I agree with getting tested. Go to your primary care provider and have yourself be monitored. The incubation period for Hep C is 14 to 180 days (average is 45). I would get checked now and 6 months later.

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