Poked myself with a syringe

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Specializes in ICU, PACU.

So, I was practicing intradermal injections on a fake arm. I accidentally poked myself with my syringe. (Which taught me to always cap it when not in use) I'm the only one who's used the syringe but other people have also practiced on the fake arm. I immediately used an alcohol swab and washed my hands. I'm worried...am I going to catch anything?

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I doubt it.

Be careful! You do NOT want to do that with a dirty spike.

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Specializes in mis-information :p.

I hope not. Worst thing I can think of is just minor infections.

Keep us posted.:wink2:

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

In my ADN program, if we poked ourselves in skills lab (and get caught), we were made to write a 100 page research paper on the dangers of needle sticks.

I was very careful in skills lab.

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In my ADN program, if we poked ourselves in skills lab (and get caught), we were made to write a 100 page research paper on the dangers of needle sticks.

I was very careful in skills lab.

Holy Smokes--did you know anyone who actually had to do that paper? I cannot imagine!

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Uhh no. You will not catch anything from poking yourself after poking a fake arm :)

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Specializes in critical care, PACU.

this happened to me first semester. ya know how some times the pre packaged twin packs dont have the needle luer-locked on all the way? right as I pulled out from the injection pad (filled with fluid--gross) the entire needle fell off onto my hand :(

I told my prof and have been tested since with no probs (thank god)

im sure youll be fine. I just wanted to share my story so you know you arent alone hehe.

When I was giving flu shots a couple weeks ago, the needle wasnt luer locked on enough, and after sticking it into the patient and withdrawing, the needle just stayed there as I stared in horror!

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I agree with Isneyk..depending on how dirty the fake arm was you might see a local irritation or infection but I can't imagine anything more.

This is what nursing school and fake arms are for...just be thankful you learnt this lesson now and not in a few years with a real patient.

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Specializes in ICU, PACU.

Yeah, I surely learned my lesson. Thanks a lot guys for your input.

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.
Holy Smokes--did you know anyone who actually had to do that paper? I cannot imagine!

Not in my group. As you can imagine, the threat of those 100 pages is quite a deterrent.

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Specializes in HCA, Physch, WC, Management.

Ahh don't beat yourself up too much. A friend of mine got a needle stick in lab too while we were practicing drawing up medication. I felt bad for her but she knows now to scoop to recap.

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how did you poke yourself? i know that things like that happen, but for example if you recapping the needle, we were taught to use to the one-hand scoop technique - put the cap on the table then slide the need into the cap, then make sure the cap is secure. they also make us fill out an incident report if accidental sticks happen in our skills labs.

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