Which one of the following actions is the first that should be taken following a contaminated sharps injury?

The first action that should be taken following a contaminated sharps injury is to bleed the wound. This initial response is essential as it helps to reduce the risk of bloodborne pathogen transmission. By allowing the blood to flow from the wound, any potential contaminants that may have entered the body through the puncture can be expelled. Encouraging bleeding can be particularly effective in diluting the concentration of infectious material at the site of injury.

Following this, it is crucial to wash the wound with soap and water, which is important for thorough cleansing to remove any remaining contaminants. However, bleeding the wound should be prioritized immediately after the injury to minimize infection risk. Checking the patient's history and covering the wound are also important steps in the overall response to a sharps injury, but they come after the immediate action of promoting bleeding from the injury.