An infected bandage is discarded in a:

Appeared in: AIIMS Delhi NO-2016

Explanation

According to Biomedical Waste Management (BMWM) guidelines, the yellow bag is designated for infectious waste.
Infected bandages are considered 'Soiled Waste' because they are contaminated with blood or other body fluids.
Soiled waste, along with human anatomical waste and expired medicines, must be collected in yellow-colored, non-chlorinated plastic bags.
The designated treatment for waste in yellow bags is incineration, plasma pyrolysis, or deep burial to ensure complete destruction of infectious agents.

Option B: The black bag is used for general, non-infectious waste, similar to household waste. An infected bandage is hazardous and requires special treatment.
Option C: The blue bag or box is reserved for waste glassware and metallic body implants. A bandage is not made of glass or metal.
Option D: The red bag is for contaminated waste that is recyclable, primarily plastics. While an infected bandage is contaminated, it is not typically recycled.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Biomedical Waste Management and color coding for waste segregation as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Correct waste segregation is a fundamental nursing responsibility to prevent nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections and protect healthcare workers, patients, and the community from infectious diseases.
Improper disposal of biomedical waste can lead to legal penalties for the healthcare facility under the BMWM Rules, 2016.
What if the item was a syringe with the needle attached? It would be classified as 'Waste Sharps' and must be disposed of in a white, translucent, puncture-proof container, not a yellow, red, or blue bag.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key item in the question: 'infected bandage'.
Recognize that 'infected' implies contamination with pathogens, making it a type of hazardous biomedical waste.
Recall the standard color-coding system for biomedical waste management.
Categorize the 'infected bandage' within this system. It is 'soiled waste' because it's an item contaminated with body fluids.
Match the waste category ('soiled waste') to the correct color-coded bag (Yellow).
Eliminate the other options by recalling what they are used for: Black (general waste), Blue (glass), and Red (recyclable plastics).

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Biomedical Waste Management and color coding for waste segregation.
Stem keywords: infected bandage, discarded
Lead-in keywords: BEST, MOST RELEVANT CLUE
Negative lead-in flag: false

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 180-182

E6 Comprehensive Textbook of Community Health Nursing for BSc Nursing Students Part 2 — Subpart B (pp 276-535 of 550) pp. 191-193, 194-196

Practise the full AIIMS Delhi NO-2016

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