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

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

Explanation

A pus-soiled cotton swab is classified as 'Soiled Waste' because it is contaminated with a body fluid (pus).
According to the Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016, which align with WHO guidelines, all soiled waste must be segregated into the yellow-colored container.
This category of waste is considered highly infectious and is sent for incineration, plasma pyrolysis, or deep burial to destroy pathogens and prevent the spread of infection.

Option B: The red container is designated for recyclable contaminated waste, which primarily includes plastic items like IV sets, catheters, gloves, and syringes without needles.
Option C: The black container is for general, non-hazardous waste, similar to household trash. A pus-soiled swab is infectious and hazardous, so it cannot be placed here.
Option D: Cardboard is not a standard color-coded category for biomedical waste disposal. While some specific waste (like blue for glassware) might be collected in cardboard boxes, 'Card board' itself is not a primary category.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Biomedical Waste Management as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Proper waste segregation is a fundamental and critical nursing responsibility for infection control. Failure to do so can lead to nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections, endangering patients, healthcare workers, and the community.
Incorrect disposal increases the risk of injury (e.g., needlesticks from sharps in the wrong bin) and exposure to dangerous pathogens.
What if the item was a broken glass vial of a medication? It would be disposed of in the blue container/box, as it falls under the category of contaminated glassware.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the nature of the waste item mentioned in the question. Here, it is a 'pus-soiled cotton swab'.
Recognize that 'pus' is a body fluid, making the item 'soiled' and 'infectious'.
Recall the standard color-coding system for biomedical waste management.
Match the type of waste (infectious, soiled waste) to the correct color-coded container. Soiled waste belongs in the yellow container.
Eliminate the other options by recalling what they are used for (Red for recyclable plastics, Black for general 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) p. 191-193

Practise the full NORCET 2 - 2021 (shift-1)

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