The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides several guidelines on how health workers need to conduct themselves in the practice of administering injections. The guideline is aimed at promoting worker health and safety.  In the administration of an injection, the nurse has the responsibility of evaluating the task and the type of exposure expected. Based on the determination, the nurse is required to select the “appropriate” personal protective equipment (UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR n.d). This is to say that it is the sole responsibility of the nurse to prevent needle sticks injuries. When needles accidentally prick a patient’s skin, both the patient and the nurse are at health risk. Such a practice place both the patient and the nurse at risk to transmit blood-borne pathogens.

To prevent this, the nurse needs to practice safe injection practices as outlined by the provisions of OSHA. While administering an injection, the nurse should at all times ensure that the patient hand is maintained steady. Though, some patient my panic and flick with the sight of an injection, the nurse has the responsibility to assure them that the injection will not cause them any needless pain. If necessary, the nurse should ask the patients to have their eyes closed while the injection is being administered. This will ensure zero chances of flicking which puts both the nurse and the patient at risk of sustaining body pricks. As a precaution measure, a nurse should wear at all when administering injections wear gloves (UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR n.d). With this, the nurse will avoid contact with blood from the patient blood when it gets pricked. After a prick has been sustained on the patient hand, it is required of the nurse to wash the exposed area right away with plenty of water. If need be, it should be cleaned using a skin disinfectant (antiseptic) such as rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer.

Reference

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/

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