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Needlestick exposure — USMLE Step 3 MCQ

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ModeratePreventive Medicine, Epidemiology, BiostatisticsNeedlestick exposureUSMLE Step 3

A 30-year-old resident sustains a needlestick from a hollow-bore needle after drawing blood from a patient with unknown HIV status. The wound is washed immediately. The source patient is available for testing. The resident has completed hepatitis B vaccination. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

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Correct answer: E — Start HIV postexposure prophylaxis while source testing is expedited

Occupational HIV exposure warrants urgent assessment and initiation of PEP when indicated while source testing proceeds.

Reference: CDC occupational HIV postexposure prophylaxis guidance: https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/