To minimize the risk of a needlestick injury when preparing an IM injection, the nurse should:

Minimizing the risk of a needlestick injury is crucial for maintaining safety in healthcare settings. One effective method is to dispose of the used needle immediately in a puncture-proof container. This practice ensures that the needle is not only removed from the environment where it could pose a risk to the nurse or other staff members, but it also prevents accidental injury that could occur from handling or moving the needle around after the injection.

Immediate disposal eliminates the possibility of unintentionally coming into contact with the needle, which is essential in preventing bloodborne pathogen transmission. Puncture-proof containers are specifically designed to safely contain sharp objects, minimizing the risk of needle sticks during disposal.

Other options, while relevant to safety practices, do not address the immediate hazard of having a used needle accessible in the workspace. Utilizing a safety-engineered device can enhance safety during the injection process, but without immediate disposal, there is still a risk of injury. Recapping the needle before disposal, although sometimes practiced, is not recommended as it increases the risk of accidental needlesticks. Storing the needle until the end of the shift is counterproductive, as it increases the time it remains a potential hazard. Immediate and appropriate disposal is the best practice to ensure safety in this scenario.