With respect to the disposal of clinical waste, which colour is used for the disposal of glass and aerosols?

Appeared in: DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Explanation

According to India's Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016, blue-colored cardboard boxes are specifically designated for the disposal of glassware.
This category includes broken or discarded contaminated glass items like medicine vials and ampoules.
Aerosol cans are pressurized metallic containers. To prevent rupture and injury, they should be disposed of in a sturdy, puncture-proof container, making the blue box the most appropriate choice among the options.

Option A: White, translucent, puncture-proof containers are exclusively reserved for waste sharps.
Option B: Brown bags are not specified under the Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016. They are typically used for general, non-infectious municipal waste.
Option C: Yellow bags are used for infectious waste, such as human anatomical waste, soiled dressings, and expired medicines.

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 practice for infection control and occupational safety in healthcare settings, protecting staff, patients, and the community from hazardous materials.
Incorrect disposal, such as putting glass in a plastic bag, can cause injuries and expose waste handlers to infectious agents.
Compliance with the Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules is a legal mandate for all healthcare facilities in India, and non-compliance can lead to severe penalties.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question testing knowledge of a standard protocol.
Identify the key items for disposal in the question: 'glass' and 'aerosols'.
Recall the standard color-coding system for biomedical waste management (Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016).
Systematically review the purpose of each color:
Yellow: Infectious waste, anatomical waste, chemicals, medicines.
Red: Contaminated recyclable plastics.

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

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

Practise the full DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-2)

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