title: A forensic nursing protocol for initiating human immunodeficiency virus post-exposure prophylaxis following sexual assault.
abstract: The use of human immunodeficiency virus post-exposure prophylaxis (HIV PEP) should be considered in the care of sexual assault patient populations. In order to effectively implement HIV PEP following sexual assault, healthcare providers need to have a working knowledge of HIV transmission risk factors following a sexual exposure and protocols for initiating HIV PEP. Being able to implement evidence-based practices that address each of these factors is paramount to successful prevention of HIV transmission following a sexual assault exposure. Most healthcare practitioners, however, lack the specialized knowledge needed to address these issues in the expeditious manner necessitated by a potential HIV exposure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This paper is designed to provide healthcare providers with a basic understanding of HIV transmission risk factors and the knowledge and skills needed to effectively implement HIV PEP following a sexual assault exposure.
authors.affiliation: Forensic Nurse Examiner Program, St. Mary's Hospital, Richmond, Virginia 23226, USA. kim4nsicrn@mac.com
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wieczorek
mesh_terms: D002985:Clinical Protocols; D053604:Forensic Nursing; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D056990:Post-Exposure Prophylaxis; D011902:Rape; D018570:Risk Assessment