HIV & AIDS: An Introduction for Nursing Assistants

Course overview

Nursing professionals face a high risk for occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens when working with patients. Bloodborne pathogens include hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Exposures can occur through needlesticks or cuts from other sharp instruments that are contaminated with an infected patient's blood. Contamination can also occur when there is contact with the eyes, nose, mouth, or skin and a patient's blood that has a bloodborne pathogen. This course will discuss the risks of contamination as well as preventative steps that can be taken by nursing professionals in the workplace.