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Difficulty: HardAccident, Error, and Injury Prevention

A registered nurse in an oncology unit accidentally drops a glass vial of a liquid antineoplastic medication, causing it to shatter on the floor. Arrange the following actions for managing this hazardous drug spill in the correct sequence. (Place the first action at the top and the last action at the bottom.)

  1. 1Restrict access to the immediate area to prevent accidental exposure to others.
  2. 2Obtain the hazardous drug spill kit and don the provided personal protective equipment.
  3. 3Place absorbent spill pads gently over the spilled liquid to contain the spread.
  4. 4Collect the broken glass fragments using a designated scoop or forceps.
  5. 5Clean the affected surface with a detergent solution, working from the outside edges inward.
  6. 6Place all collected debris and used cleaning supplies into a designated hazardous waste receptacle.

Answer

The correct sequence for managing a hazardous drug spill is: restrict access to the area, don personal protective equipment from the spill kit, contain the liquid with absorbent pads, collect the broken glass with a scoop, clean the area from the outside inward, and dispose of all materials in a designated hazardous waste receptacle.
Hazardous drug spills, such as antineoplastic medications, require a strict, systematic approach to prioritize human safety and minimize environmental contamination. The protocol dictates securing the perimeter first to protect the public, protecting the healthcare worker with appropriate PPE second, containing the liquid third, safely removing sharps with a mechanical tool, decontaminating the surface using an outside-in technique, and finally ensuring safe disposal in a designated hazardous waste bin.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Restrict access to the immediate area.
The area is secured from foot traffic.
Prevents unauthorized individuals from stepping in the hazardous drug and tracking it throughout the unit.
2
Don PPE from the hazardous drug spill kit.
The nurse is protected from chemical exposure.
Personal safety is paramount before engaging with any hazardous chemical or bodily fluid spill.
3
Place absorbent pads over the liquid.
The spread of the antineoplastic medication is halted.
Containing the liquid first prevents the spill footprint from expanding while managing the sharps.
4
Use a scoop to collect the broken glass.
Sharps are safely removed from the spill zone.
Using a mechanical tool instead of hands eliminates the risk of contaminated sharps puncturing the gloves.
5
Clean the surface from the outside edges toward the center.
The floor is decontaminated without spreading the chemical.
Working from the least contaminated perimeter toward the most contaminated center confines the residue.
6
Dispose of all materials in a designated hazardous waste container.
Contaminants are safely isolated for proper incineration or disposal.
Antineoplastic medications require specialized disposal protocols to prevent environmental and public health hazards.

Key Concept

Hazardous Drug Spill Management
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Topics

Accident, Error, and Injury Prevention

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