After removal of an NG tube from a patient, in which color bag should it be discarded?

NORCET 1 - 2020

Nursing Foundation

Easy

Appeared in: NORCET 1 - 2020

Explanation

A used Nasogastric (NG) tube is considered contaminated recyclable plastic waste.
As per the Biomedical Waste Management (BMWM) guidelines, all contaminated recyclable items such as catheters, tubing, IV sets, and gloves must be discarded in a red-colored bag.
This segregation ensures the waste undergoes proper treatment, typically autoclaving or microwaving, before being shredded for recycling, which prevents the spread of infection.
The key differentiator is that the item is a plastic tube contaminated with bodily fluids, which falls squarely into the 'Red' category for recyclable contaminated waste.

Option A: The yellow bag is reserved for human anatomical waste (like tissues or organs), heavily soiled waste (like blood-soaked dressings), expired medicines, and chemical waste. An NG tube does not fall into these categories.
Option C: The black bag is for general, non-infectious waste, similar to household trash (e.g., paper, food wrappers). Disposing of a contaminated NG tube in a black bag poses a significant infection risk to waste handlers and the public.
Option D: The blue bag or box is specifically for discarded or broken glassware (like vials and ampoules) and metallic body implants. An NG tube is made of plastic, not glass or metal.

Visual 1: Infographic - A clear chart showing the five main biomedical waste bins (Yellow, Red, Blue, White, Black) with icons and lists of the specific types of waste that belong in each container. This provides a quick visual reference for correct segregation.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Safe nursing care depends on performing Biomedical Waste Management (BMWM) color coding for waste segregation in the correct sequence, documenting the action clearly, and monitoring for the expected response.
Proper waste segregation is a fundamental nursing responsibility to prevent nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections and protect healthcare workers, patients, and the community from infectious hazards.
Incorrect disposal, such as placing an NG tube in a black bag, can lead to needle-stick-like injuries and infections for municipal waste handlers and cause environmental contamination.
Adherence to BMWM guidelines is a legal requirement and a critical component of hospital accreditation and patient safety protocols.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question based on national guidelines (Biomedical Waste Management Rules).
First, identify the type of item to be discarded. An NG tube is a flexible plastic tube that becomes contaminated with bodily fluids during use.
Next, recall the standard color-coding system for biomedical waste segregation.
Match the item's characteristics (contaminated, recyclable plastic) to the correct color category. Contaminated plastics are designated for the Red bag.
Eliminate the other options by recalling their specific uses: Yellow for anatomical/soiled waste, Black for general trash, and Blue for glassware/implants.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Biomedical Waste Management (BMWM) color coding for waste segregation.
Stem keywords: NG tube, removal, discarded, color bag
Lead-in keywords: in which
Negative lead-in flag: false

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