Identify the INCORRECT statement regarding injury caused by sharp objects.

Appeared in: DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Explanation

Sucking or rubbing a sharps injury is strictly contraindicated as it can cause additional tissue trauma.
This action can introduce bacteria from the mouth into the wound, leading to a secondary infection and complicating recovery.
It is an ineffective method for removing pathogens and may push them deeper into the tissues, potentially increasing the risk of a blood-borne virus transmission.

Option B: This is a correct and necessary step in the first aid management of a sharps injury.
Option C: This is the most critical first step in managing a sharps injury.
Option D: This is a recommended step in the first aid process for a sharps injury.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing First aid management for sharps injuries in a healthcare setting helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Immediate and correct first aid for sharps injuries is a critical competency for all healthcare workers to minimize the risk of transmitting blood-borne viruses (BBVs) like HIV, HBV, and HCV.
Every healthcare institution has a clear protocol for reporting and managing sharps injuries, which includes immediate first aid, reporting, risk assessment of the source patient, and consideration for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP).
What if the sharp was visibly contaminated with blood from a known HIV-positive patient? The urgency of reporting and starting Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) increases dramatically. PEP should be initiated as soon as possible, ideally within 2 hours, but up to 72 hours post-exposure, to be effective.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the negative framing of the question, which uses the word 'INCORRECT'. This means you are searching for the action that should NOT be performed.
Mentally review the standard first-aid protocol for a sharps injury, which typically involves washing, allowing bleeding, covering, and reporting.
Evaluate each option against this standard protocol.
The option 'Suck or rub the injury' is not part of any standard medical protocol and sounds inherently harmful and unhygienic.
Confirm that the other three options (Wash, Cover, Encourage bleeding) are recognized and recommended steps in the procedure.
Based on this analysis, conclude that sucking or rubbing the injury is the incorrect action.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: First aid management for sharps injuries in a healthcare setting.
Stem keywords: injury, sharp objects, incorrect statement
Lead-in keywords: INCORRECT
Negative lead-in flag: The question asks for the INCORRECT statement, meaning three options are correct actions and one is a harmful action.

QKJyOax9ceMHH3ghE_KiPo

E6 Microbiology OneStop Sastry p. 54-56

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 6 p. 89-91

Practise the full DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.