According to BMWM used Needle is discarded in which colour of bag?

Appeared in: NIMHANS Nursing Officer - 2019

Explanation

According to the Bio-Medical Waste Management (BMWM) Rules, 2016, waste sharps must be disposed of in a specific container.
Used needles are classified as 'waste sharps' because they can cause punctures and cuts.
The designated color for containers holding waste sharps is white.
The container must be translucent, puncture-proof, leak-proof, and tamper-proof to ensure safety and prevent injuries.

Option A: Black bags are designated for general, non-infectious waste, similar to household waste (e.g., stationery, kitchen waste, fruit peels). Needles are infectious and hazardous.
Option B: Yellow bags are used for a broad category of infectious waste, including human anatomical waste (placentas), soiled dressings, and expired medicines, but not for sharps.
Option C: Red bags are for contaminated recyclable waste, primarily plastics. While a syringe (without the needle) goes in a red bag, the needle itself does not, as it would puncture the bag and pose a risk.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Bio-Medical Waste Management (BMWM) Color Coding as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Correct sharps disposal is a critical patient and healthcare worker safety measure, primarily to prevent needlestick injuries (NSIs).
NSIs can transmit over 20 different blood-borne pathogens, including Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV), and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
Improper disposal is a violation of legal and regulatory standards (BMWM Rules, 2016) and can lead to penalties for the healthcare facility.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key item in the question: 'used Needle'.
Next, classify this item according to Bio-Medical Waste Management (BMWM) categories. A needle is a 'sharp'.
Recall the specific color-coded container designated for 'sharps' under the BMWM guidelines.
Evaluate the given options. The white container is designated for sharps. Therefore, 'White bag' is the correct answer, even though the correct container is a rigid box, not a bag.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QDX-JIxdLJFeIvwmuoh4fZ

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 180-182

E6 Comprehensive Textbook of Community Health Nursing for BSc Nursing Students Part 2 — Subpart B (pp 276-535 of 550) pp. 191-193, 194-196

Practise the full NIMHANS Nursing Officer - 2019

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