Assume that one of the staff a nurse working on the unit that you are supervising has been stuck with a needle from a patient named John. You do not know the John’s HIV status but he appears to have a needle mark on his arm. John is constantly asking for pain medication and his dosage of narcotics had to be raised because the lower doses were not holding him. John’s girlfriend-Elaine, has numerous tattoos and the two are sexually active as disclosed by John. What actions will you take to protect the staff nurse? Examine this scenario using the CDC recommendations and your state laws. Fully discuss all the legal and ethical implications of the actions you will take.
