Sharp blades and needle to be discarded in which of following?

AIIMS Delhi NO- 2019

Nursing Foundation

Easy

Appeared in: AIIMS Delhi NO- 2019

Explanation

According to the Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016, all waste sharps must be collected in a specific type of container.
This container is described as being white, translucent, puncture-proof, leak-proof, and tamper-proof.
This includes items like needles, syringes with fixed needles, scalpels, blades, and any other sharp object that can cause a puncture or cut.
The purpose of this specific container is to ensure that sharp objects are safely contained, preventing accidental needlestick injuries and exposure to infectious agents during handling and transport.

Option A: Black containers or bags are designated for general, non-biohazardous waste such as food wrappers, tissues, and office waste. They are not puncture-proof and are unsuitable for sharp objects.
Option B: Red bags are used for contaminated recyclable waste, such as plastic tubing, catheters, IV sets (without the needle), and gloves. A sharp object would easily pierce the plastic bag, creating a significant injury risk.
Option D: Blue containers, typically cardboard boxes, are used for collecting discarded or broken glassware like medicine vials and ampoules, as well as metallic body implants. They are not designed to safely contain fine-pointed sharps like needles.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Biomedical Waste Management Color Coding as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Proper disposal of sharps is a critical nursing responsibility to prevent needlestick injuries, which can transmit over 20 blood-borne pathogens, including HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C.
Adherence to biomedical waste guidelines is a legal requirement in India (Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016) and a fundamental component of hospital infection control and patient/staff safety.
What if? If a needlestick injury occurs due to improper sharps disposal, the immediate nursing action is to encourage bleeding, wash the area with soap and water, report the incident, and initiate post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) protocol for the exposed individual.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key items in the question: 'Sharp blades and needle'.
Recognize that this question is about safety protocols, specifically biomedical waste management.
Recall the standard color-coding system for waste segregation in healthcare settings.
Associate 'sharps' with the container designed to prevent punctures. This is the primary safety feature.
Evaluate the options: Black is for general waste, Red is for plastic recyclables, and Blue is for glassware. None of these are primarily designed to be puncture-proof for needles.
Conclude that the 'White container', which is specifically described as puncture-proof, is the correct choice for sharps.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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

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