Human placenta after delivery is disposed in which colour bag?

Appeared in: RML Lucknow - 2021

Explanation

The placenta is classified as Human Anatomical Waste.
As per the Biomedical Waste (BMW) Management Rules, 2016 of India, all human anatomical waste must be segregated at the point of generation into a yellow-colored, non-chlorinated plastic bag.
The final disposal method for this category of waste is either incineration or deep burial to ensure complete and safe destruction of potentially infectious material.

Option A: Black bags are designated for general, non-infectious waste, similar to household trash (e.g., office paper, food wrappers, fruit peels).
Option B: Blue bags or cardboard boxes are reserved for discarded or broken glassware (like medicine vials and ampoules) and metallic body implants.
Option D: Red bags are used for contaminated but recyclable plastic waste. The placenta is biological tissue, not plastic.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Biomedical Waste (BMW) Management and color coding as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Strict adherence to BMW segregation protocols is a fundamental nursing duty to prevent the spread of hospital-acquired infections (nosocomial infections) to patients, staff, and the community.
Incorrect waste disposal can lead to needlestick injuries, exposure to pathogens, and environmental contamination, posing a significant public health risk and legal penalties for the facility.
What if? If the placenta was intended for histopathological examination (biopsy), it would not be discarded in a yellow bag. Instead, it would be placed in a container with 10% formalin, properly labeled with patient details, and sent to the pathology lab.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the core subject of the question: the disposal of a 'human placenta'.
Classify the item based on medical waste categories. A placenta is 'human anatomical waste'.
Recall the standard color-coding system for Biomedical Waste (BMW) Management as per Indian guidelines.
Match the waste category ('human anatomical waste') to its designated color. The rule is that all human tissues and organs go into the yellow bag.
Confirm the answer by mentally reviewing the purpose of the other colored bags (Red for plastics, Blue for glass, Black for general waste) to ensure they are incorrect.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 180-182

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

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

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