Answers to Case Studies
Answer to Case Study #1:
Nurse Obari should explain to the surgeon that there is less risk of accidental injury if sharp items are passed in a basin or bowl rather than hand to hand. If general anesthesia is used, Nurse Obari could create an area on the surgical field in which to place or pick up sharp items.
Answer to Case Study #2:
Once the injury occurs, Dr. Hemley should place the contaminated needle in a basin and the scrub should either pass the basin off the field to the circulator or place the needle in a remote area on the sterile back table. If the contaminated suture needle touches part of the sterile drape, the site should be covered with an impervious sterile cover. Dr. Hemley should not squeeze the wound: instead, the circulator should pour soapy water over the site, followed by alcohol. After the alcohol dries, Dr. Hemley may reglove. Dr. Hemley should report the needle stick injury to the appropriate administrative staff and follow protocols for postexposure prophylaxis.
Answer to Case Study #3:
The manager should speak to the operating theater supervisor and make her aware of the situation. He should also ask her if sharp items are counted before, during, and after surgery to ensure that none gets left on the field and consequently in the linens. He should also urge his staff to carefully sort the linen. When a needlestick injury does occur, the person should immediately report it, and proper protocol should be followed.
Answer to Case Study #4:
The number-one cause of occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens is needlestick injuries, many of which occur while recapping needles.
To reduce the risk of infections to health care workers, needles should not routinely be recapped before disposal.
Puncture-resistant sharps-disposal containers should be placed in every room where sharps are used. The uncapped needle and attached syringe should be immediately disposed of in a puncture-resistant container.
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