American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Certification Practice Test

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the AACN Certification Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question comes with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

What is the longest time frame to start post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) after suspected HIV exposure?

24-36 hours
12-24 hours
48-72 hours
4-6 hours

The correct answer is: 48-72 hours

The longest time frame to start post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) after suspected HIV exposure is indeed 48-72 hours. PEP is a critical intervention aimed at preventing the establishment of HIV infection following potential exposure. The effectiveness of PEP decreases significantly the longer one waits to begin treatment after the exposure. The current guidelines recommend starting PEP as soon as possible, ideally within hours of exposure, but it is still considered effective if initiated within 72 hours. Beyond this window, the likelihood of reducing the risk of HIV transmission diminishes, making it essential to act quickly. Therefore, having the timeframe of 48-72 hours as the correct answer emphasizes the urgency and importance of prompt medical attention following potential exposure to HIV.