When a needle-stick injury occurs in a PMU setting, which sequence of actions is most complete?

• A. Wash the site, report incident, seek medical evaluation, consider post-exposure prophylaxis if indicated.
• B. Do nothing and document later.
• C. Notify only a supervisor.
• D. Wash the site, report the incident, seek medical evaluation, consider post-exposure prophylaxis if indicated, and document.

Answer: (D)

When a needle-stick happens, the quickest, most complete response combines immediate first aid with formal reporting, medical follow-up, potential preventive treatment, and thorough documentation. Washing the site with soap and water right away helps remove some of any potential contaminants and reduces the chance of infection. Reporting the incident promptly flags the exposure so the proper exposure-management protocol can begin without delay. Seeking medical evaluation is essential to assess the specific risk, obtain baseline status (such as vaccination history and any prior infections), and determine what tests or treatments are warranted. Whether post-exposure prophylaxis is indicated depends on the type of exposure and the pathogens involved; if it is, starting it promptly improves its effectiveness, so timely medical input is key. Finally, documenting the incident ensures there is a clear record for follow-up care, exposure tracking, and quality assurance. Skipping any of these steps can leave gaps in care or in the safety and accountability framework, which is why the full sequence is the most complete approach.