       Document 0700
 DOCN  M9640700
 TI    Managing occupational HIV exposures: a Canadian study.
 DT    9604
 AU    Reutter LI; Northcott HC; Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta,
       Edmonton, Canada.
 SO    Int J Nurs Stud. 1995 Oct;32(5):493-505. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/96122116
 AB    The findings reported in this paper are part of a larger study that
       explored how nurses cope with the risk of acquiring HIV infection while
       caring for persons with AIDS (PWAs). The data were collected through
       in-depth interviews with 13 nurses who cared for PWAs in a large Western
       Canadian hospital. Seven of these nurses perceived that they had been
       exposed to HIV-infected blood or body fluids. This paper describes how
       these seven nurses coped with actual exposures to HIV-infected blood or
       body fluids. Data were analyzed using the methodology of grounded
       theory. Nurses' coping efforts after exposure were grouped into four
       categories: minimizing the effect of exposures, reducing a sense of
       vulnerability, selective disclosure to others, and assigning meaning.
       Nurses minimized the physical effects of exposure through measures such
       as 'bleeding' the needlestick injury and immersing the affected area in
       bleach solution. Nurses reduced their sense of vulnerability by
       assessing the possibility of harm, avoiding situations that aroused
       fear, and confronting the decision for HIV testing. Nurses limited their
       disclosures to co-workers to avoid rejection and to preserve
       professional self-esteem. Disclousre to significant others was
       influenced primarily by the support nurses perceived they would receive.
       Finally, nurses attempted to assign meaning to the exposure by
       determining why the event occurred and by evaluating the implications it
       has had on their lives. The article concludes with implications for
       nursing practice.
 DE    *Adaptation, Psychological  Adult  Canada  Fear  Guilt  Human  HIV
       Infections/PREVENTION & CONTROL/*PSYCHOLOGY/TRANSMISSION
       Internal-External Control  Nurses/*PSYCHOLOGY  Nursing Theory
       *Occupational Exposure/PREVENTION & CONTROL  Problem Solving  Self
       Disclosure  Social Support  Support, Non-U.S. Gov't  JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

