How should a sharps injury be handled if it occurs?

• A. Notify patient only
• B. Ignore if minor
• C. Wash area immediately with soap and water, report incident, seek medical evaluation if indicated, and document per policy.
• D. Wash with alcohol and continue

Answer: (C)

Immediate, proper response after a sharps injury is essential. Clean the area right away with soap and running water, avoiding alcohol as a cleansing agent or any delay in care. Then report the incident to your supervisor and document it according to the practice’s exposure control policy. Seek medical evaluation if indicated by the policy, which may include baseline testing for bloodborne pathogens and consideration of post‑exposure prophylaxis, plus updates on vaccination status and any needed follow‑up.

The reason this is the best approach is that it both reduces infection risk and ensures the incident is managed according to workplace protocols and medical guidelines. Notifying the patient alone misses the broader responsibility of reporting, documentation, and medical assessment. Ignoring the injury, even if it seems minor, can overlook significant risks. Washing with alcohol and continuing ignores proper wound care and the formal steps required for exposure management.