A 29-year-old nurse sustains a needlestick injury from a patient known to be HIV-positive with a high viral load. The injury occurs 1 hour ago. What i...

Question

A 29-year-old nurse sustains a needlestick injury from a patient known to be HIV-positive with a high viral load. The injury occurs 1 hour ago. What is the most appropriate next step?

Accepted Answer

Start triple-drug antiretroviral PEP as soon as possible and continue for 28 days

Answer

Reassure; no post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is needed

Answer

Wait for the nurse's baseline HIV test before starting PEP

Answer

Offer PEP only if seroconversion symptoms appear

Answer

Give a single dose of antiretroviral and no further treatment

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

A 29-year-old nurse sustains a needlestick injury from a patient known to be HIV-positive with a high viral load. The injury occurs 1 hour ago. What is the most appropriate next step?