Community Health Nursing Practice Exam

If an agency discards used needles and syringes in plastic milk jugs, which element of an infectious waste management program is being violated?

1. Health professionals must be able to correctly distinguish biohazardous waste from biomedical waste.

2. The waste management program must have administrative support and authority to institute practice guidelines.

3. Handling of the infectious wastes must be minimized. Containers should be rigid, leak resistant, and impervious to moisture.

4. An enforcement or evaluation mechanism must be in place to ensure that the potential for exposure to infectious waste is met.

The correct answer is: Handling of the infectious wastes must be minimized. Containers should be rigid, leak resistant, and impervious to moisture.

The scenario describes an agency using plastic milk jugs to discard used needles and syringes, which highlights a significant violation concerning the handling and containment of infectious waste. The correct choice focuses on the requirement that containers for such waste must be rigid, leak-resistant, and impervious to moisture to prevent any potential exposure or accidents during disposal. Plastic milk jugs do not meet these essential safety criteria, making them inappropriate for the disposal of needles and syringes, which can pose serious health risks if not managed correctly. This aspect is crucial in the management of infectious waste, as improper containment can lead to environmental contamination and increased risk of needlestick injuries for waste management personnel and the community. Therefore, adhering to stringent guidelines on waste containment is a fundamental part of an effective infectious waste management program.