What is the first step a nurse should take after experiencing a needle stick injury from a patient with Non-A, Non-B hepatitis?

The first step a nurse should take after experiencing a needle stick injury is to perform a thorough cleaning of the wound. Immediate and effective decontamination of the site is crucial to reduce the risk of infection. This involves washing the area with soap and water and possibly using a skin disinfectant. The rationale behind this step is based on established protocols for managing exposure to bloodborne pathogens, which emphasize the importance of minimizing the risk of disease transmission at the earliest opportunity.

While obtaining blood samples from both the patient and the nurse may be necessary later for testing and monitoring, it should not take precedence over immediate wound care. Reporting the incident to a supervisor is also an essential step in the protocol, as it ensures that proper organizational procedures are followed and that the incident is documented. Starting antiviral medications could be indicated based on the specific circumstances and results of testing, but this is not an immediate priority compared to first addressing the injury itself.