A technician in a busy hospital unit sustains a needlestick from a used venipuncture needle while clearing a tray, with visible blood on gloves. The sharps container is full and the floor is crowded. Which OSHA, NIOSH, and CDC workplace safety response should the technician follow for the work-related accident?

Correct care integrates OSHA bloodborne-pathogen requirements with NIOSH and CDC post-exposure guidance: immediate washing with soap and water to reduce viral load, prompt notification to the supervisor to activate occupational health, workers compensation and OSHA documentation, plus same-visit exposure reporting with medical evaluation for source testing, hepatitis B immunity, HIV prophylaxis eligibility, and follow-up serology. Notifying only the charge nurse supports bedside continuity but fails accountability because formal supervisory reporting is required to establish a work-related accident record and authorize evaluation. Waiting until shift end to complete paperwork respects busy workflow but fails urgency because prophylaxis and evaluation are time-sensitive and standards demand immediate reporting, not end-of-shift batching. Replacing the full sharps container promptly addresses the real overfill and crowding hazard but fails prioritization because the injured technician must not perform sharps handling while wounded; the hazard should be secured, flagged, and delegated for exchange per procedure while exposure care proceeds. Exam caveat: distractors often substitute appropriate general safety or communication steps for mandated exposure steps, so prioritize immediate decontamination plus formal supervisory reporting over tidiness. Practical check: wash, notify before leaving the area, confirm incident report and labs are opened, and have another trained staff member exchange the container.