Used cotton balls and gauze pieces should be discarded in which colour BMW bin?

Appeared in: Hariyana-CHO-2021

Explanation

Used cotton balls and gauze are classified as 'Soiled Waste' under the Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016.
Soiled waste is defined as items contaminated with blood and body fluids.
The designated color code for the collection of soiled waste is Yellow.
This category also includes items like dressings, soiled plaster casts, and blood bags.
The waste collected in yellow bags is typically sent for incineration or deep burial.

Option A: The Blue bin is designated for the disposal of glassware and metallic body implants.
Option C: The Red bin is used for collecting contaminated but recyclable plastic waste.
Option D: The Black bin is for general, non-infectious waste, similar to household waste.

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 as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Proper waste segregation is a legal requirement and a fundamental component of infection control in all healthcare settings.
Incorrect disposal of soiled items in general waste can lead to the spread of infections like HIV and Hepatitis B to waste handlers and the community.
Nurses are at the forefront of waste generation and have a primary responsibility to ensure correct segregation at the source, protecting themselves, their colleagues, and patients.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the type of waste mentioned in the question: 'Used cotton balls and gauze pieces'.
Recognize that these items are typically used in patient care and become contaminated with blood or body fluids.
Recall the Bio-Medical Waste (BMW) Management color-coding guidelines.
Categorize the waste: Contaminated cotton and gauze fall under 'Soiled Waste'.
Match the waste category to the correct color-coded bin. 'Soiled Waste' is disposed of in the Yellow bin.
Eliminate the other options by recalling what they are used for (Red for plastics, Blue for glass, Black for general waste).

Concept Tested & Keywords

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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

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