A housekeeping staff sustains a needle stick injury while handling hospital waste. On assessment, it is found that sharps were not properly segregated at the point of generation. What is the most appropriate cause of this incident?

Appeared in: NORCET 10 Prelims-2026

Explanation

The question stem explicitly states that 'sharps were not properly segregated at the point of generation,' making this the direct and undeniable cause of the incident.
According to Biomedical Waste (BMW) Management rules, segregation at the source is the most critical step to prevent occupational injuries.
Placing sharps in general waste bags creates a direct puncture hazard for anyone handling the waste downstream, such as housekeeping staff.
The immediate cause is the physical act of placing the sharp in the wrong container, which is the definition of improper segregation.

Option A: While overfilled bins from not emptying waste on time can increase risks (e.g., spillage), it is not the direct cause of a puncture injury. The injury occurred because a sharp was in the bag in the first place.
Option C: This is a systemic or administrative failure. The immediate, physical cause of the injury is the specific action of putting a sharp in the wrong bin, which is 'improper segregation.' Inadequate identification is a broader, less direct cause.
Option D: The timing of waste transportation has no bearing on the contents of the waste bags. The injury risk was created at the moment of disposal, not during transport.

Visual 1: Infographic: A chart showing the four main color-coded bins (Yellow, Red, White, Blue) used for biomedical waste segregation, with clear icons and lists of the types of waste that go into each. This provides a quick visual reference for the core concept.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Biomedical Waste Management and Occupational Safety to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
Nurses are often the primary generators of biomedical waste (e.g., after giving an injection). It is their direct responsibility to segregate waste correctly at the point of generation to protect themselves, colleagues, housekeeping staff, and the public.
A needle stick injury is a medical emergency. Immediate first aid (washing the area with soap and water) and reporting are crucial for initiating post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent infections like HIV, HBV, and HCV.
What if the injured staff member was not immunized against Hepatitis B? The urgency for medical evaluation and potential administration of Hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) and the vaccine series increases significantly, highlighting the importance of both segregation and staff immunization.

How to Approach the Question

First, carefully read the clinical scenario presented in the question stem.
Identify the key facts provided. Here, the stem explicitly states, 'it is found that sharps were not properly segregated at the point of generation.'
Analyze the question being asked: 'What is the most appropriate cause of this incident?'
Compare the options to the facts. Option B directly matches the information given in the stem, making it the most direct and appropriate cause.
Eliminate other options by assessing if they are indirect causes, contributing factors, or irrelevant. The other options are related to waste management but are not the immediate cause of the puncture injury.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full NORCET 10 Prelims-2026

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.