A 36-year-old healthcare worker sustains a needlestick injury from a patient known to be HIV-positive with a high viral load. The injury is deep, and ...

Question

A 36-year-old healthcare worker sustains a needlestick injury from a patient known to be HIV-positive with a high viral load. The injury is deep, and it occurred 1 hour ago. What is the most appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Offer HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) as soon as possible and arrange follow-up

Answer

Reassure; no risk after 1 hour

Answer

Wait for the patient’s latest viral load before any action

Answer

Advise abstinence only, no PEP

Answer

Give a single dose of antibiotic prophylaxis only

uk-plab-1 MCQ (SBA): HIV post-exposure prophylaxis

A 36-year-old healthcare worker sustains a needlestick injury from a patient known to be HIV-positive with a high viral load. The injury is deep, and it occurred 1 hour ago. What is the most appropriate action?