Which does not cause needle stick injury?

SGPGI Nursing Officer-2022

Applied Microbiology & Infection control

Easy

Appeared in: SGPGI Nursing Officer-2022

Explanation

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is primarily transmitted through the fecal-oral route.
This route involves the ingestion of food or water that has been contaminated with fecal matter from an infected person.
Unlike HIV, HBV, and HCV, Hepatitis A is not a blood-borne pathogen.
Consequently, the risk of transmitting Hepatitis A through a percutaneous injury like a needle stick is considered negligible.

Option B: HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a blood-borne pathogen. Needle stick injuries are a well-documented and significant route for the occupational transmission of HIV to healthcare workers.
Option C: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a blood-borne pathogen and is highly infectious. It poses the highest risk of transmission among the given options following a needle stick injury.
Option D: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is also a blood-borne pathogen. It is commonly transmitted through exposure to infected blood, and needle stick injuries are a primary mode of transmission in healthcare settings.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Transmission routes of infectious diseases, specifically differentiating between blood-borne and fecal-oral pathogens helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
This distinction is fundamental to infection control. Understanding that Hepatitis A is spread via the fecal-oral route emphasizes the importance of hand hygiene, especially after using the restroom and before handling food.
For blood-borne pathogens (HIV, HBV, HCV), the focus is on Standard Precautions, safe injection practices, and proper disposal of sharps to prevent percutaneous injuries.
The Hepatitis B vaccine is a cornerstone of occupational health for healthcare workers, as it provides effective protection against the most infectious of these three blood-borne viruses.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the negative framing of the question with the words 'does not'. This signals that you need to find the option that is an exception.
The question's core concept is the mode of transmission for different infectious diseases, specifically in the context of a 'needle stick injury'.
Recall or deduce the primary transmission route for each virus listed in the options.
Categorize each virus: Is it primarily blood-borne or transmitted another way (e.g., fecal-oral, airborne)?
HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C are all well-known blood-borne pathogens.
Hepatitis A is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Transmission routes of infectious diseases, specifically differentiating between blood-borne and fecal-oral pathogens.
Stem keywords: needle stick injury, does not cause
Lead-in keywords: does not
Negative lead-in flag: The question asks to identify the pathogen that is NOT transmitted via needle stick injury, requiring you to find the exception among the options.

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E6 Microbiology OneStop Sastry p. 55-57