Safe and Effective Care Environment NCLEX RN Questions Related

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A patient's Foley catheter has been discontinued. You will dispose of this patient equipment by doing which of the following?

  • A. Wearing gloves and then placing this equipment in the regular trash can after it is placed in a paper bag.
  • B. Simply placing this equipment in the regular trash can after it is placed in a paper bag.
  • C. Wearing gloves and then placing this equipment into a special 'hazardous waste' container.
  • D. Simply placing this equipment in the 'hazardous waste' container after it is placed in a paper bag.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: When disposing of used patient equipment, such as a Foley catheter, that has come in contact with bodily fluids, it is considered hazardous waste. The correct procedure involves wearing gloves and placing the Foley bag and tubing into a special 'hazardous waste' container. This container is marked as 'Hazardous' and is typically red to indicate the potential danger of its contents. Placing the equipment in a regular trash can, even if placed in a paper bag, is not appropriate as it does not meet the standards for disposing of hazardous waste. Therefore, options A and B are incorrect. Similarly, simply placing the equipment in a 'hazardous waste' container after it is placed in a paper bag is also incorrect as direct disposal into the designated container while wearing gloves is the proper protocol, making option D incorrect.