After discontinuing an intravenous infusion, the nurse should dispose of the used plastic IV tubing set in which color-coded bag?

Appeared in: NORCET 5 Prelims - Sept 2023 (Shift-2)

Explanation

the Red bag, as per the Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016.
Red bags are specifically designated for 'Contaminated Waste (Recyclable)'.
This category includes disposable plastic items that have been in contact with a patient's blood or body fluids, such as intravenous (IV) tubes and sets, catheters, syringes without needles, and gloves.
The waste collected in red bags is treated by autoclaving or microwaving to sterilize it before being sent for recycling.

Option A: White (translucent) containers are reserved for 'Waste Sharps'. This includes items that can cause punctures or cuts, such as needles, scalpels, and blades.
Option B: Blue bags or boxes are used for disposing of contaminated glassware, such as broken vials, ampoules, and glass slides.
Option C: Yellow bags are used for a broad category of waste, including human anatomical waste (tissues, organs), soiled waste (dressings, cotton), expired or cytotoxic medicines, and chemical waste.

Visual 1: Infographic - An infographic displaying the four main color-coded bins (Yellow, Red, White, Blue) with clear icons and lists of the specific types of medical waste that belong in each. This provides a quick visual reference for the segregation rules.
Visual 2: Flowchart - A flowchart illustrating the entire process of biomedical waste management, from segregation at the source (patient's bedside) to collection, transportation, treatment, and final disposal for each color category.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Safe nursing care depends on performing Biomedical Waste Management in the correct sequence, documenting the action clearly, and monitoring for the expected response.
Proper segregation of biomedical waste is a fundamental nursing responsibility for infection control and is mandated by law (Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016 in India).
Incorrect disposal, such as mixing IV tubing with general waste, can lead to the spread of blood-borne pathogens like HIV and Hepatitis B/C, endangering sanitation workers and the community.
Hospitals face legal penalties and loss of accreditation for non-compliance with waste management protocols.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the specific item to be disposed of: a 'used plastic IV tubing set'.
Next, categorize the item based on its properties. It is a plastic item ('tubing') that is 'used', meaning it is contaminated with the patient's blood or body fluids.
Recall the standard color-coding system for biomedical waste segregation.
Match the item's category to the correct color. Contaminated but recyclable plastic waste belongs in the red bag.
Eliminate other options by recalling their specific uses: Yellow for anatomical/soiled waste, White for sharps, and Blue for glassware.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full NORCET 5 Prelims - Sept 2023 (Shift-2)

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