A nurse is injured with a percutaneous exposure of blood while on duty. The nurse wishes to have the patient tested for HIV; however, the patient refuses. Which of the following statements best summarizes testing issues related to HIV?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In most countries, it is illegal to perform HIV testing without the patient's consent. The patient has the right to refuse testing, and the nurse must respect that decision. The nurse should follow the appropriate protocol for reporting the exposure and seek medical attention without waiting for the test results. The nurse should also receive post-exposure prophylaxis and be monitored for infections.

A Nurse Is Injured with a Percutaneous Exposure of Blood