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Handling infectious materials

  • NCLEX-RN
  • NCLEX-PN
  • Safety and Infection Control
  • Multiple choice
  • Difficulty 3 of 5

Question

After an injection at a clinic, the nurse holds a used needle and syringe. A cleared sharps container is beside the workstation. What should the nurse do?

  1. Place the device directly into the sharps container.✓ Correct

    Immediate disposal in the appropriate container is indicated.

  2. Replace the needle cap before discarding the device.✗ Incorrect

    Recapping contaminated sharps increases exposure to injury.

  3. Leave the device on the work surface until cleanup.✗ Incorrect

    The sharp should go into its container immediately.

  4. Put the device into an ordinary waste bag.✗ Incorrect

    A designated sharps container is needed.

Answer

A. Place the device directly into the sharps container.

Rationale

Prompt disposal in the designated container limits opportunities for injury. Recapping adds an unnecessary handling step.

RememberDiscard used sharps promptly without recapping.

Sources

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