Question

A 39-year-old nurse sustains a needlestick injury from a hollow-bore needle immediately after taking blood from a known HIV-positive patient of unknown viral load. The injury bleeds slightly. What is the most appropriate immediate management?

Accepted Answer

Encourage bleeding, wash the area, and start HIV post-exposure prophylaxis as soon as possible

Answer

No action is needed as the risk is negligible

Answer

Suture the wound and arrange HIV test in 1 year

Answer

Start prophylactic high-dose steroids

Answer

Give a single dose of oral Azithromycin

Practice question

A 39-year-old nurse sustains a needlestick injury from a hollow-bore needle immediately after taking blood from a known HIV-positive patient of unknown viral load. The injury bleeds slightly. What is the most appropriate immediate management?