NIC Esthetician Written ExamSafety and Infection ControlMedium
An esthetician is cleaning up after a facial service and notices a small amount of blood on a cotton pad from a minor abrasion during an extraction. How should this blood-contaminated item be disposed of?
- APlace it in a regular trash can lined with a plastic bag.
- BWrap it in a paper towel and place it in a general waste bin.
- CPlace it in a biohazard waste container.
- DRinse it with water and then discard in a regular trash can.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Place it in a biohazard waste container.
Any item contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) must be disposed of in a designated biohazard waste container to prevent the spread of pathogens, as per OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Regular trash is not appropriate for blood-contaminated items, as it poses a risk of exposure.
- B. Wrapping in a paper towel is insufficient protection for blood-contaminated waste.
- D. Rinsing a blood-contaminated item does not make it safe for regular disposal and can spread contaminants.
Biohazardous Waste Disposal
The proper disposal of items contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) into designated, clearly labeled biohazard waste containers to prevent pathogen transmission.
- Mandated by OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.
- Applies to blood, body fluids, and contaminated sharps.
- Prevents spread of infectious diseases.
Memory trick: Blood goes Red, Sharps go Box.