Upon returning from the laboratory, a staff member drops a glass specimen tube containing a patient's blood, which shatters on the clinic floor. The charge nurse immediately secures the area to prevent exposure. Place the following steps for managing this biohazardous spill in the correct chronological order.
- 1Don personal protective equipment (PPE) including gloves and a fluid-resistant gown.
- 2Pick up the broken glass fragments using forceps or a dustpan and brush.
- 3Place the collected glass fragments into a rigid, puncture-resistant sharps container.
- 4Cover the pooled blood with absorbent paper towels to soak up the liquid.
- 5Apply an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant to the surface and allow the required contact time.
Answer
The correct sequence for managing a biohazardous spill involving sharps is: don PPE, mechanically remove the sharps, dispose of sharps in a designated container, absorb the fluid, and finally disinfect the surface.
When a biohazardous spill involves broken glass, the nurse's first priority is personal protection, which requires donning PPE. Next, the immediate physical hazard of the broken glass must be addressed using mechanical means (never hands) to prevent accidental puncture injuries. The glass must go directly into a sharps container, as regular biohazard bags offer no puncture resistance. Once the sharps are cleared, the nurse can safely absorb the bulk organic material (blood). Finally, with the visible fluid removed, an EPA-registered chemical disinfectant can effectively decontaminate the surface.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Management of a bloodborne pathogen spill involving sharps requires strict adherence to OSHA standards, prioritizing the mechanical removal of sharps before absorbing the fluid and disinfecting the surface.