A human placenta after delivery is disposed of in which colour bag?

Appeared in: RML 2023

Explanation

A human placenta is classified as 'human anatomical waste' under the Biomedical Waste Management (BMW) Rules.
According to the guidelines, all human anatomical waste, including tissues, organs, and body parts like the placenta, must be segregated at the point of generation.
This type of waste is collected in designated yellow-colored, non-chlorinated plastic bags for safe disposal, which typically involves incineration or deep burial.

Option A: Black bags are used for general, non-infectious, non-biomedical waste, similar to household or municipal waste (e.g., food scraps, paper).
Option B: Blue-marked cardboard boxes or containers are designated for broken or discarded contaminated glassware (like ampoules and vials) and metallic body implants.
Option D: Red-colored bags are used for contaminated recyclable waste, which includes disposable plastic items like IV tubing, catheters, syringes (without needles), and gloves.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Biomedical Waste Management (BMW) Color Coding as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Proper segregation of biomedical waste is a critical nursing responsibility to prevent the spread of infections (like HIV and Hepatitis) to healthcare workers, patients, and the community.
Incorrect disposal can lead to environmental pollution and pose significant public health risks. Adherence to BMW guidelines is a legal and ethical requirement.
What if? If a placenta is designated for stem cell banking or pathological examination, it is not immediately discarded as waste. It is placed in a sterile, labeled container and transported to the laboratory or bank according to specific protocols, not in a yellow waste bag.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key item in the question: 'human placenta'.
Next, classify this item according to the Biomedical Waste Management (BMW) categories. A placenta is 'human anatomical waste'.
Recall the color-coding system for BMW, which is a fundamental concept in healthcare safety.
Match the waste category ('human anatomical waste') with the correct color. Anatomical waste is always placed in a yellow bag.
Eliminate the other options by recalling what they are used for: Red for recyclable contaminated plastics, Blue for glassware, and Black for general non-infectious waste.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Comprehensive Textbook of Community Health Nursing for BSc Nursing Students Part 2 — Subpart B (pp 276-535 of 550) pp. 193-195, 191-193

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 2 — Subpart B (pp 233-449 of 464) p. 109-111

Practise the full RML 2023

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