he practical nurse (PN) administers an injection using a syringe with a retractable needle. After the needle is removed from the client's skin, the needle does not retract, and the PN gets stuck in the finger with the used needle. What action should the PN take first?

A. Cleanse the finger with soap and water: Immediate cleansing of the puncture site is the first action to reduce the risk of infection or bloodborne pathogen transmission. Proper wound hygiene is critical before any further reporting or assessment steps are taken. B. Observe the appearance of the injection site: While assessing the injection site is important, it should be done after the immediate risk of contamination has been addressed. Prioritizing wound cleansing helps prevent potential infection from the needlestick. C. Explain the occurrence to the client: Transparency with the client is important to maintain trust, but addressing personal safety and infection risk comes first. Communication can follow once the PN has taken steps to protect themselves. D. Call the charge nurse to the room: Reporting to the charge nurse is necessary for documentation and further management, but the PN must first perform immediate first aid on the puncture site to reduce infection risk.