According to latest guideline of WHO, pus soiled cotton swab should be discarded in which container?

NORCET 2 - 2021 (shift-1)

Applied Microbiology & Infection control

Easy

Appeared in: NORCET 2 - 2021 (shift-1)

Explanation

A pus-soiled cotton swab is classified as 'Soiled Waste' because it is an item contaminated with body fluids.
As per the Biomedical Waste Management (BMWM) Rules, 2016, which are aligned with WHO recommendations, all soiled waste must be segregated into a yellow-colored bag or container.
This category specifically includes items like dressings, plaster casts, and cotton swabs that have come into contact with blood or other body fluids.
The designated final treatment for waste in the yellow bag is high-temperature incineration or plasma pyrolysis to ensure the complete destruction of all infectious agents.

Option B: The red container is reserved for recyclable contaminated waste, which primarily consists of plastic items.
Option C: The black container is designated for general, non-infectious waste, similar to household trash.
Option D: A simple cardboard box is not a standard primary container for infectious waste. A specific blue-marked, puncture-proof box is used for glassware.

Visual 1: Infographic: A chart showing the different colored bins (Yellow, Red, White, Blue, Black) with clear icons and lists of the types of waste that go into each.
Visual 2: Photograph: A real-world example of a hospital's biomedical waste segregation area with correctly labeled and color-coded bins.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Biomedical Waste Management Color Coding as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Proper waste segregation is a critical nursing responsibility to prevent nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections and protect healthcare workers, patients, and the community from infectious hazards.
Incorrect disposal of infectious waste can lead to environmental contamination and pose a serious public health risk, including the transmission of bloodborne pathogens like HIV and Hepatitis B/C.
What if? If the item was a syringe with the needle still attached, it would be classified as a 'sharp' and must be discarded into a white (translucent), puncture-proof container, not the yellow bag, to prevent injuries.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the nature of the waste item: a 'pus-soiled cotton swab'.
Recognize that 'pus' is a body fluid, which automatically classifies the item as infectious 'Soiled Waste'.
Recall the standard color-coding system for biomedical waste management.
Match the waste type ('Soiled Waste') to the correct color-coded container. Infectious, soiled, non-sharp waste always goes into the yellow container.
Eliminate the other options by recalling their specific uses: Red for recyclable plastics, Black for general non-infectious waste, and Blue/Cardboard for glassware.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Biomedical Waste Management Color Coding
Stem keywords: pus soiled cotton swab, discarded, container, WHO guideline
Lead-in keywords: which container
Clinical cues: Pus-soiled swab indicates infectious material requiring special disposal.

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