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Question

Difficulty: EasyHandling Hazardous and Infectious Materials

A nurse has just administered an intramuscular injection to a client and needs to dispose of the used syringe and needle. Which of the following is the correct action for handling this potentially infectious material?

  1. A
    Carefully recap the needle using both hands before disposing of it in the sharps container.
  2. Drop the intact syringe and needle immediately into a designated, puncture-resistant sharps container.Answer
  3. C
    Break or bend the needle before placing the syringe in the sharps container to prevent reuse.
  4. D
    Discard the syringe and needle into a red infectious waste biohazard bag.

Answer

Drop the intact syringe and needle immediately into a designated, puncture-resistant sharps container.
According to standard precautions and occupational safety guidelines, used needles and syringes must be discarded immediately and intact into a designated, rigid, puncture-resistant sharps container. This action prevents needle-stick injuries and ensures the safe handling of infectious materials.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the type of hazardous material requiring disposal.
The material is a used syringe with an attached needle, classified as an infectious sharp.
Accurate classification of the material dictates the specific OSHA and CDC disposal guidelines to follow.
2
Apply standard precautions for the disposal of sharps.
The correct action is to dispose of the item immediately and intact into a rigid sharps container.
Immediate disposal without manipulation (like recapping or bending) minimizes the risk of accidental needle-stick injuries and transmission of bloodborne pathogens.

Key Concept

Safe Disposal of Infectious Sharps
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Topics

Handling Hazardous and Infectious Materials

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