A nurse working in an operation theatre must know, the risk of HIV infection with needle stick injury is about?

Appeared in: NCL (MP) Nursing Officer - 2019

Explanation

The average risk of acquiring HIV from a percutaneous needlestick injury with contaminated blood is approximately 0.3%.
This statistic translates to a ratio of 1 in 300, which is a key figure for occupational health and safety in healthcare.
This risk is an average; the actual risk can vary based on factors like the type of needle, depth of injury, and the source patient's viral load.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) can significantly reduce the risk of seroconversion if initiated promptly.

Option A: A ratio of 1:100 represents a 1% risk, which significantly overestimates the average risk of HIV transmission from a needlestick injury.
Option B: A ratio of 1:200 represents a 0.5% risk. This is higher than the accepted average risk for HIV transmission via this route.
Option D: A ratio of 1:400 represents a 0.25% risk. While some studies cite figures around 0.23%, the most widely accepted and tested average risk is 0.3% (1 in 300).

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Occupational Health: Risk of HIV Transmission from Needlestick Injury helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Knowing this statistic is crucial for providing accurate information and counseling to healthcare workers who experience an occupational exposure, helping to manage anxiety and ensure adherence to follow-up protocols.
Immediate action is critical. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is most effective when started within hours of exposure and is a key component of occupational health protocols.
This knowledge reinforces the importance of consistently applying universal precautions and safe sharps handling to prevent such injuries in the first place.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question testing your knowledge of a specific, important statistic in infection control and occupational health.
Identify the key concepts in the question: 'HIV infection' and 'needle stick injury risk'.
Recall the standard, evidence-based figure for the risk of seroconversion after a percutaneous exposure to HIV-infected blood.
The accepted average risk is 0.3%.
Convert this percentage to a ratio: 0.3% = 0.3/100 = 3/1000 = 1/333.
Select the option that is closest to this calculated ratio, which is 1:300.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Occupational Health: Risk of HIV Transmission from Needlestick Injury
Stem keywords: nurse, operation theatre, risk, HIV infection, needle stick injury
Lead-in keywords: is about

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E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 1 pp. 1666-1668, 1605-1607

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