Infection Prevention & SafetyQuestion 98 of 100
A technician opens a case cart and finds loose scalpel blades and suture needles mixed in with the instruments. What is the correct action?
a.Pick the sharps out by hand while wearing double gloves and place them in a basin
b.Run the entire tray through the washer first so the sharps are disinfected before handling
c.Return the tray to the operating room without touching it and take no further steps
d.Use forceps or another mechanical means to transfer the sharps directly into a puncture-resistant sharps container, then report the practice so the procedural area can correct it
Explanation
Sharps are never handled directly, so a mechanical device such as forceps is used to move them into a labeled puncture-resistant container located as close as practical to the point of use. Reporting the finding is essential because the root cause is a point-of-use practice failure that will recur. Processing sharps through a washer does not make them safe to handle, and simply returning the tray leaves the hazard in place for the next person.
Law Reference: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030Practice all 100 questions free — no signup required.
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