As per BMW management and according to WHO, infected syringe without needle is discarded into which color-coded bag?

Appeared in: Combined AIIMS - 2020 (Jodhpur, Bhopal, Patna, Raipur)

Explanation

Red-colored bags are designated for the collection of contaminated waste that is suitable for recycling.
This category specifically includes plastic items that have been used in patient care, such as syringes without needles, IV sets, catheters, and gloves.
The waste collected in red bags undergoes treatment methods like autoclaving or microwaving to render it non-infectious before it is sent to authorized recyclers.

Option A: Yellow bags are used for human anatomical waste, soiled waste (like dressings contaminated with blood), expired medicines, and chemical waste. A plastic syringe is not anatomical or chemical waste.
Option C: Black bags are for general, non-infectious waste, similar to household trash. An infected syringe is considered biohazardous and must be segregated from general waste.
Option D: Blue bags or boxes are intended for glassware (like broken vials and ampoules) and metallic body implants. A plastic syringe does not fall into this category.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Bio-Medical Waste (BMW) Management Color Coding 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 biohazards.
Improper disposal, such as putting recyclable plastics into a yellow bag, leads to unnecessary incineration, increasing environmental pollution and operational costs for the healthcare facility.
What if? If the syringe still had the needle attached, it would be classified as a 'sharp'. It must then be discarded into a white, translucent, puncture-proof container, not the red bag, to prevent needlestick injuries.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key item in the question: 'infected syringe without needle'.
Break down the item's properties: It is made of plastic, it is contaminated (infected), and it is not sharp (the needle is removed).
Recall the standard Bio-Medical Waste (BMW) color-coding guidelines.
Match the item's properties to the correct waste category. Contaminated recyclable waste, which includes plastics, belongs in the red bag.
Systematically eliminate the other options based on their designated waste types: Yellow for anatomical/soiled waste, Black for general waste, and Blue/White for glassware/sharps.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Bio-Medical Waste (BMW) Management Color Coding
Stem keywords: BMW management, WHO, infected syringe, without needle, color-coded bag
Lead-in keywords: which

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor pp. 180-182, 181-183

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 Combined AIIMS - 2020 (Jodhpur, Bhopal, Patna, Raipur)

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