A female has given birth at PHC. In which color-coded bag should it be discarded?

NORCET 10 Mains

Nursing Foundation

Easy

Appeared in: NORCET 10 Mains

Explanation

The correct option is the Yellow bag because the placenta is considered human anatomical waste.
According to the Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, all human anatomical waste, tissues, and organs are collected in yellow-colored, non-chlorinated plastic bags.
This category of waste is treated by incineration, plasma pyrolysis, or deep burial to ensure complete and safe destruction.
Source SRC_2 explicitly states: 'Anatomical waste: Placenta, body parts to be disposed of in yellow plastic bins/bags.'.

Option B: The Red bag is designated for contaminated recyclable waste, such as plastic items like IV tubing, catheters, syringes (without needles), and gloves.
Option C: The Blue bag (or a blue-marked box) is used for discarding glassware, such as broken or discarded vials and ampoules, and metallic body implants.
Option D: The Black bag is reserved for general, non-biohazardous waste, which is similar to household waste, such as paper, food scraps, and packaging.

Visual 1: Infographic - A chart showing the four color-coded bins (Yellow, Red, Blue, Black) with clear icons and lists of the types of waste that go into each. This provides a quick visual reference for waste segregation rules.
Visual 2: Flowchart - A diagram illustrating the process of biomedical waste management from the point of generation (e.g., delivery room) to final disposal, highlighting the segregation step where the placenta is placed in a yellow bag.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Biomedical Waste Management as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses are often the primary generators of biomedical waste and have a legal and ethical responsibility to ensure its correct segregation at the point of generation. Failure to do so can lead to penalties and pose a significant risk of injury and infection to colleagues, waste handlers, and the public.
Proper waste management is a key component of infection control (nosocomial infection prevention) within a healthcare facility. It breaks the chain of infection by safely containing potentially infectious materials.
What if? If a sharp, like a needle, were accidentally discarded in the yellow bag with the placenta, it would create a major safety hazard. The correct procedure is to dispose of all sharps in a separate, puncture-proof container (white/translucent) to prevent needlestick injuries during handling and transport.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the type of waste mentioned in the question. The question specifies 'placenta'.
Next, classify this waste according to biomedical waste categories. A placenta is 'human anatomical waste'.
Recall the standard color-coding system for biomedical waste management.
Match the waste category ('human anatomical waste') with its designated color code. The rule is that all human anatomical waste goes into a yellow bag.
Evaluate the other options to confirm they are incorrect. Red is for recyclable contaminated waste, blue for glassware, and black for general waste.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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