Student Nurse Needle Stick Scare

[fortunato]

I was giving an insulin shot (with an insulin pen) today at my clinical site to a extremely skinny guy. He requested I uses his arm and not his abdomen. So - I did - he moved and I felt something prick my index finger that was on the underside of the skin fold I was holding. GREAT..... I checked my gloves - so signs of puncher, I also milked the crap out of the offended finger - I saw no blood. My prof knows and I eventually went to the hospitals clinic to figure out what to do. When I told the RN/MD there that I saw no blood - they decided not to test the patient I was exposed to since they said I technically didn't have blood to blood exposure.

Can I get some feedback on this? I am still slightly freaked out that there is some very small chance I was exposed to something. I get that no blood what exchanged, but still - this whole needle prick thing has me totally freaked out. Any thoughts and feedback would be great.

[BabyLady, BSN, RN]

on the contrary, i think that a hospital that requires consenting to hiv testing on admission gives a feeling that exposures are anticipated and likely to happen, which in my opinion would decrease the feeling of confidnce a patient has in the facility. getting consent on every admission is a bunch of paperwork that doesn't need to happen, it shouldn't be done unless there is a need for it.

...please go back and read my post because that is not what i said.

i said that it is standard among many facilities that you consent to testing if there is an exposure.

in other words, a patient is not hiv tested unless a nurse is exposed via a needlestick and if other lab work is ordered, it is drawn with other labs.

i cannot tell you, the last time i was treated..that i did not have to sign such a consent form. i have seen these in various facilities for at least 15 years.

[colleennurse, ASN, RN]

I agree with the rest, you really have nothing to worry about. Check out the info on CDC's website regarding needlesticks- it should make you feel better. Hopefully you have been vaccinated against Hep B. Can I ask why they were letting you inject someone with an insulin pen? That should bea no no! I used to work in homecare and even there we were told that the patient should be doing the injecting not the nurse and if they couldnt then they shoul;d be using a syringe.

[ugobest]

I got pricked by a cannula of an HIV PT

And am having anxiety if I turn out positive

But in less than 24hr I started PEP.

PLS advise me

And calm my anxiety

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

I got pricked by a cannula of an HIV PT

And am having anxiety if I turn out positive

But in less than 24hr I started PEP.

PLS advise me

And calm my anxiety

Low transmission rates and you're already on PEP. You have nothing to worry about.

[EllaBella1, BSN]

I got pricked by a cannula of an HIV PT

And am having anxiety if I turn out positive

But in less than 24hr I started PEP.

PLS advise me

And calm my anxiety

I had an exposure with a known HIV and Hep C positive patient about a year and a half ago. I also took the PEP meds, and have tested negative since then. The PEP meds are highly effective against HIV. My biggest concern was the Hep C, which has no prophylactic meds, but alas, all was ok. You will be fine. Take the meds as prescribed and follow up with your doctors plan of care.