A nurse is preparing to discontinue an intravenous (IV) infusion of paclitaxel, an antineoplastic medication, for a client. The infusion has finished and the IV bag is empty. Which action by the nurse demonstrates the correct protocol for handling these hazardous materials?
- ADisconnecting the IV tubing from the empty bag to discard them in separate biohazard containers.
- BPlacing the empty IV bag and tubing into a standard red infectious waste biohazard bag.
- CDelegating the disconnection and disposal of the empty chemotherapy IV infusion setup to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP).
- Disposing of the intact IV bag and attached tubing directly into a designated trace chemotherapy waste receptacle.Answer
Answer
The correct protocol is disposing of the intact IV bag and attached tubing directly into a designated trace chemotherapy waste receptacle.
The correct action is to dispose of the intact IV bag and attached tubing in a designated trace chemotherapy waste receptacle (often yellow). Tubing should never be disconnected from the IV bag, as this can aerosolize residual antineoplastic medication and increase the risk of hazardous exposure to the nurse and the environment.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Safe handling and disposal of hazardous antineoplastic (chemotherapy) materials