Word parts
post- afterexposure coming in contact
What it means
Used for care given after contact with something harmful, such as a needlestick, a bite from an animal that may have rabies, or sex with a partner who may have HIV. Postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) is medicine or vaccine given after the contact to stop an infection from taking hold; for HIV it must start within 72 hours, and the sooner the better.
For the nurse
After a needlestick, wash the site with soap and water, report it at once to the person in charge or employee health, and follow the facility's exposure plan: testing and PEP decisions are time-sensitive.
In a chart
"Nurse sustained a needlestick from a used needle; site washed, incident reported, referred for postexposure evaluation."
At a glance
| Also written | post-exposure |
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