In case of potential bloodborne pathogen exposure, what should be done first?

• A. Immediately wash the exposure area
• B. Notify infection control
• C. Initiate post-exposure prophylaxis
• D. Document the incident

Answer: (A)

Immediate decontamination is the priority. Washing the exposed skin with soap and running water (and rinsing mucous membranes with clean water if they were involved) helps remove as much potentially infectious material as possible before it can enter the body. This step reduces the risk right away and should be done promptly, without delay.

After cleaning, report the incident to your supervisor or infection control, document what happened, and seek medical evaluation. A clinician will assess the exposure and determine if post-exposure prophylaxis is appropriate and, if so, start it as soon as possible, since its effectiveness depends on timely administration. Decontamination first ensures you’re starting the process from the lowest-risk baseline, while the subsequent steps address risk assessment, treatment, and proper documentation.