Which of the following colour container must be used for discarding human anatomical waste in hospital?

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2024

Explanation

According to the Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016, the yellow color code is designated for specific categories of waste.
Human anatomical waste, which includes human tissues, organs, and body parts, falls under the yellow category.
This type of waste is collected in yellow-colored, non-chlorinated plastic bags or containers.
The prescribed method of disposal for waste in the yellow category is incineration, plasma pyrolysis, or deep burial to ensure complete destruction of pathogenic material.

Option A: Red containers are used for contaminated but recyclable waste.
Option B: Black containers are designated for general, non-infectious waste, similar to domestic trash.
Option D: Blue containers or cardboard boxes are used for discarded or contaminated glassware and metallic implants.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Biomedical Waste Management (BMW) Color Coding helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Proper waste segregation is a fundamental responsibility for all healthcare workers, especially nurses, to prevent nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections and protect staff, patients, and the community.
Incorrect disposal, such as placing anatomical waste in a red bag, can lead to it being autoclaved and shredded instead of incinerated, posing a significant biohazard risk.
What if a cytotoxic drug vial is discarded? It should be placed in a yellow container, but specifically marked for cytotoxic waste, and returned to the manufacturer or sent for high-temperature incineration (greater than 1200°C), not mixed with general anatomical waste.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question: 'human anatomical waste'.
This is a factual recall question based on established national guidelines (Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules).
Mentally access your knowledge of the color-coding system for hospital waste.
Associate 'human anatomical waste' with its specific color code.
Evaluate the given options: Red, Black, Yellow, Blue.
Select the option that correctly corresponds to the waste type. Recall that yellow is for anatomical waste, red for plastics, blue for glass, and black for general waste.

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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