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?

1. A

   Not emptying waste at the proper timing

2. B

   Improper Segregation during point of generation

3. C

   Inadequate Waste identification

4. D

   Delay in waste transportation

Appeared in: NORCET 10 Prelims-2026

Explanation

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• The question explicitly states that sharps were not properly segregated at the point of generation, making this the direct and immediate cause of the injury.
• According to Biomedical Waste Management (BMW) rules, segregation is the first and most crucial step to prevent occupational hazards like needle stick injuries.
• Placing sharps in general waste bags instead of designated puncture-proof containers (white/translucent) creates a hidden danger for anyone handling the waste downstream.
• The injury occurred because the hazardous item (needle) was not contained correctly at its source, which is a failure of the segregation process.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

• Option A: While not emptying waste on time can lead to overfilled bins, which is a separate safety hazard, it is not the primary cause of this specific injury. The injury was caused by a sharp being in the wrong bag, not by the bag being too full.
• Option C: Inadequate waste identification is a broader, systemic issue related to labeling or recognizing different waste categories. The direct cause of the injury was the physical act of placing the sharp in the wrong container, which is a specific failure of segregation.
• Option D: Delay in waste transportation is irrelevant to the cause of a needle stick injury. The hazard was created the moment the sharp was placed in the wrong bag. The timing of transport does not change the presence of that hazard.

Related Visual

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 have a primary responsibility to ensure all waste, especially sharps, is segregated correctly at the point of generation (e.g., patient's bedside, treatment room) to protect themselves, colleagues, and support staff.
• Needle stick injuries are a serious occupational hazard, carrying the risk of transmission of blood-borne pathogens like HIV, Hepatitis B (HBV), and Hepatitis C (HCV).
• Immediate action after a needle stick injury includes washing the area with soap and water, reporting the incident, and seeking post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) as per hospital protocol.

How to Approach the Question

• First, carefully read the clinical scenario and identify the key event: a needle stick injury.
• Next, look for the specific cause provided within the question stem itself. The question states, 'it is found that sharps were not properly segregated at the point of generation.'
• Scan the options to find the one that directly matches or paraphrases the cause identified in the stem.
• Option B, 'Improper Segregation during point of generation,' is an exact match to the information given.
• Briefly evaluate the other options to confirm they are indirect or irrelevant causes. This confirms that the most direct and appropriate cause is the failure to segregate.

Concept Tested & Keywords

• Concept Tested: Biomedical Waste Management and Occupational Safety
• Stem keywords: needle stick injury, housekeeping staff, hospital waste, sharps, segregation, point of generation
• Lead-in keywords: most appropriate cause
• Clinical cues: The statement 'sharps were not properly segregated at the point of generation' is the key diagnostic clue in the question stem.

Question ID

QZPPkKBEutg0j10nrKQ5Qa

Copy ID

Reference Book

E6 Comprehensive Textbook of Community Health Nursing for BSc Nursing Students Part 2 — Subpart B (pp 276-535 of 550) pp. 197-199, 188-190

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 179-181