elen2018

Thank you for your reply it made me feel better. I try to be as careful as I can and wash my hands often. Thanks again!

Thank u! I just worry beside I have an infant at home and I’m not really sure If gastric secretions are infectious or not. But yeah just making sure!

I was checking gastric residual of a patients peg tube and I got some of the residual on my wrist. I washed my hands immediately and I don’t see any cuts or openings of my skin in that area. Should I be worried about possibly contracting something from this? I’m a nursing student so I’m really not sure. I asked my instructor and she said I was fine. I was wearing gloves by the way. Thank u!

Oh oops! Thanks for the heads up. I had a feeling that something was wrong haha yes I need to stop for my own sanity. I'm so glad I found this site. You are all so nice. I really admire you all. Cant wait to be a nurse myself one day. Thanks again for the tip.

That's what I keep hearing but then I'll read something that says there's a small chance. That's why I wanted to hear from nurses because I feel like I can trust them. Thank you for commenting.

Wow I'm glad to hear your ok and everything worked out for you. Thank you for taking the time to share your stories with me. They definitely helped me feel better. Deep down I know my chances are low but just the chance scares me you know? But yeah it does suck.

Yes I could not agree with you more. I hope I will be more confident throughout my career. I guess that will come in time and experience. Oh trust me that will never happen again! Your knowledge is very helpful and needed. Thank you for sharing it.

It's funny you say that because I actually put the sanitizer on and waited to feel a sting which I never did lol thank you for your considerate and empathetic reply. I was hoping at least one person would take it easy on me. Thanks again you definitely made me feel better. Hope your exposure had a good ending sure it did. :)

Yeah I definelty am trying to! Thanks for your reply.

Hello, I am a medical assistant going to school for nursing. While I was working I accidentally picked up a dirty suction tip with my bare hands thinking it was clean. When I looked down I noticed two drops of blood on my index finger. I immediately washed it off, sanitized my hands, and later washed with soap and water. I checked for cuts or "openings" and I didn't see anything. This was not a sharp object and I was not poked. I didn't think anything of it and let it go. A week later I came down with a cold. That's when I started to freak out. I went to my jobs health department and reported the incident. I was told that this was not a true exposure and my symptoms have nothing to do with what happened. I was also told no testing was not warranted for me or the patient. They even told me there recommendation would not have changed even if I would of reported it and came in right when it happened. The patient has no blood born diseases listed in his chart but I am still so worried mostly because I am still sick (2 weeks now) and the definition of intact skin is so broad. What is considered a transmissible cut or opening? I mean I have creases in my hands and normal dry skin? Also, if hiv dies once exposed to oxygen would it still be the case if it drops out of a suction tip/a tube shaped metal syringe? Or would that be a closed tight enough space for it to survive. It was a pretty decent sized suction tip used to clear a nose bleed. I was hoping I could get some advice from the professionals who actually work in the field and who may have stories of their own to maybe help comfort me? Sorry if I sound crazy or uneducated it's the internet that has really put me on edge. Thank you.

I have a question/thread I want to post and can not figure out how to do it even with the help information. Can someone help me please?