All items contaminated with cytotoxic drugs should be discarded in which of the following?

DSSSB 6 September 2024

Nursing Foundation

Easy

Appeared in: DSSSB 6 September 2024

Explanation

According to the Bio-Medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2016, all cytotoxic waste must be segregated into yellow-colored containers.
This category includes expired or discarded cytotoxic drugs and any items contaminated with them, such as vials, ampoules, IV sets, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
The yellow color code signifies highly hazardous waste that requires special handling and disposal, typically through incineration at temperatures above 1200°C, to neutralize its toxic properties.

Option A: The red bin is designated for contaminated but recyclable plastic waste. Cytotoxic waste is highly toxic and is never recycled.
Option C: The black bin is used for general, non-infectious municipal waste. Disposing of cytotoxic waste in a black bin would lead to severe environmental contamination and pose a significant public health risk.
Option D: The blue bin is for glassware and metallic implants. However, the guidelines explicitly state it is for vials and ampoules except those contaminated with cytotoxic drugs.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Biomedical Waste Management (BMW) and disposal of cytotoxic drugs as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Proper segregation of cytotoxic waste is a critical safety measure to prevent accidental exposure of healthcare workers, sanitation staff, and the public to highly toxic substances.
Adherence to BMW guidelines is a legal requirement for all healthcare facilities in India, and non-compliance can result in significant penalties and public health crises.
What if? If a nurse accidentally discards a cytotoxic drug vial in the blue bin, it creates a major safety hazard. Waste handlers processing blue bin contents for recycling may not use the high-level precautions required for cytotoxic agents, leading to potential exposure and injury.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question: 'cytotoxic drugs'. This indicates the waste is highly hazardous.
This is a knowledge-based question requiring recall of the Bio-Medical Waste (BMW) Management guidelines.
Access your memory of the color-coding system for waste segregation in healthcare settings.
Match 'cytotoxic drugs' to the correct color. Yellow is for highly hazardous waste, including chemical and cytotoxic waste. Red is for recyclable plastics. Blue is for non-cytotoxic glass. Black is for general waste.
Select the option corresponding to the correct color code, which is yellow.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Biomedical Waste Management (BMW) and disposal of cytotoxic drugs.
Stem keywords: contaminated, cytotoxic drugs, discarded
Lead-in keywords: which of the following
Negative lead-in flag: false

QSuaMrGsdHE83KLCOzBkP

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 2 — Subpart B (pp 233-449 of 464) p. 109-111

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 180-182