Safety and Infection ControlQuestion 1596 of 2368

A nursing student is stuck by a used needle while discarding it. Which action should the student take first?

  1. Finish the procedure and report the injury at the end of the shift
  2. Apply an adhesive bandage and continue caring for the client
  3. Flood the area with water and clean the wound with soap and water
  4. Wait to see whether any symptoms develop before reporting
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Correct answer: Flood the area with water and clean the wound with soap and water

The area is flushed and washed right away, then the incident is reported immediately and medical attention is sought.

Source: Nursing Skills, 2nd edition (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2023), Aseptic Technique: Sharps Safety. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Practice the topic "Safety and Infection Control"

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026