OBJECTIVE: To identify and describe the approaches for professional self-protection in the social context of the nursing care for HIV patients. METHODS: This was a qualitative descriptive study. A sample of 40 professional nurses from a university hospital in Rio de Janeiro participated in the study. Data were collected through interviews and analyzed with ALCESTE 4.7 software. RESULTS: Professional self-protection is an important element of nursing care for HIV patients. Self-protection included the use of personal protection equipment, the handling and disposal of sharp materials, and type of exposures and precautions. CONCLUSIONS: Professional self-protection in providing care for HIV patients are the same as those recommended for universal precautions.
Self care; Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; HIV; Nursing care; Precaution