The nursing assistant is caring for hospitalized clients who receive blood. Which action is best to prevent the assistant from developing a hepatitis B infection?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nursing assistant is at risk to develop a hepatitis B infection when caring for clients in a hospital or institutional setting where the clients may have the infection, be a carrier, or receive blood products. The best way to prevent developing hepatitis B is to receive the free-of-charge series of hepatitis B immunizations before any exposure. From the first initial immunization, there is a decreased risk to develop the viral infection. After an exposure, the assistant should wash the site and report according to the policy for such an exposure for further treatment. Postexposure treatment is less effective than preexposure immunization. Handwashing alone is not the best action considering the assistant in the scenario has a wound and has had direct exposure to blood from the client. It is less effective to wait until after the exposure to a client's blood to receive the immunization.

The Nursing Assistant Is Caring for Hospitalized Clients Who Receive