A 28-year-old nurse presents 18 hours after a needlestick injury from a patient later confirmed to be HIV-positive with a high viral load. What is the...

Question

A 28-year-old nurse presents 18 hours after a needlestick injury from a patient later confirmed to be HIV-positive with a high viral load. What is the most appropriate management?

Accepted Answer

Initiate triple-drug antiretroviral post-exposure prophylaxis immediately

Answer

Reassure that no post-exposure prophylaxis is needed beyond 12 hours

Answer

Start single-agent zidovudine only

Answer

Wait for the nurse's baseline HIV test result before starting prophylaxis

Answer

Offer hepatitis C post-exposure prophylaxis

ca-mccqe1 MCQ (SBA): HIV post-exposure prophylaxis

A 28-year-old nurse presents 18 hours after a needlestick injury from a patient later confirmed to be HIV-positive with a high viral load. What is the most appropriate management?