NEET-PG 2021 — Patient Safety
3 Previous Year Questions with Answers & Explanations
Swab is discarded in which color bin
Which of the following is most appropriate for managing a blood spill?
An 11-year-old girl is experiencing symptoms of fever and sore throat, and a throat swab was taken for culture. After the culture, which bag should be used to discard the swab?
NEET-PG 2021 - Patient Safety NEET-PG Practice Questions and MCQs
Question 1: Swab is discarded in which color bin
- A. White bag
- B. Yellow bag (Correct Answer)
- C. Red bag
- D. Blue bag
- E. Green bag
Explanation: ***Yellow bag*** - Items in the **yellow bag** include **infectious/clinical waste** that may or may not be contaminated with human waste and may contain chemicals or pharmaceutical waste. - As **swabs** are used for collecting biological samples that may contain infectious agents, they are classified as **infectious waste** and must be disposed of in a yellow bag for appropriate incineration. *White bag* - **White bags** are typically used for the disposal of **amalgam waste**, which includes teeth with amalgam fillings (unless the tooth is a biopsy sample), removed amalgam fillings, and encapsulated dental amalgam. - This category is distinct from general clinical waste, which swabs fall under. *Red bag* - **Red bags** are used for **anatomical waste**, which includes body parts, organs, and visible blood. - **Swabs** do not fall into this category, as they are not anatomical waste, even if they contain blood. *Blue bag* - **Blue bags** are designated for the disposal of **pharmaceutical waste** that is not cytotoxic or cytostatic. - This typically includes expired or unused medications, not general clinical waste like swabs. *Green bag* - **Green bags** are used for **general/non-infectious waste** such as disposable items not contaminated with body fluids. - **Swabs** used for biological sample collection are considered infectious waste, not general waste, so they do not belong in green bags.
Question 2: Which of the following is most appropriate for managing a blood spill?
- A. Chlorhexidine
- B. Formaldehyde
- C. Ethyl Alcohol
- D. Sodium Hypochlorite (Correct Answer)
- E. Hydrogen Peroxide
Explanation: ***Sodium Hypochlorite*** - **Sodium hypochlorite** (bleach) is a widely recommended disinfectant for cleaning up blood spills due to its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. - It effectively **inactivates viruses**, bacteria, and fungi, including bloodborne pathogens like HIV, HBV, and HCV. - **CDC recommends** a 1:10 dilution of household bleach for blood spill decontamination with appropriate contact time. *Chlorhexidine* - **Chlorhexidine** is primarily an antiseptic used for skin disinfection before medical procedures. - While it has antimicrobial properties, it is not the preferred agent for decontaminating surfaces from large blood spills due to its less potent virucidal action compared to bleach. *Formaldehyde* - **Formaldehyde** is a potent disinfectant and sterilant, often used in histology and for sterilizing medical equipment. - However, it is highly toxic, a known carcinogen, and has a strong irritating odor, making it unsuitable for routine blood spill cleanup in clinical settings. *Ethyl Alcohol* - **Ethyl alcohol** (ethanol) is an effective antiseptic for skin and small surface disinfection, particularly against bacteria and some viruses. - Its efficacy against non-enveloped viruses and spores is limited, and it evaporates quickly, which makes it less reliable for disinfecting large blood spills that require sustained contact time. *Hydrogen Peroxide* - **Hydrogen peroxide** has antimicrobial properties and is used for surface disinfection in some healthcare settings. - However, it is less effective than sodium hypochlorite against certain bloodborne pathogens, requires higher concentrations for virucidal activity, and can be corrosive to some surfaces. - It may be unstable in storage and loses potency over time, making it less reliable for blood spill management protocols.
Question 3: An 11-year-old girl is experiencing symptoms of fever and sore throat, and a throat swab was taken for culture. After the culture, which bag should be used to discard the swab?
- A. Blue bag
- B. Red bag (Correct Answer)
- C. White bag
- D. Yellow bag
- E. Black bag
Explanation: ***Red bag*** - This bag is designated for disposal of **infectious medical waste**, including items contaminated with blood, body fluids, or cultures. - The throat swab, potentially containing pathogenic microorganisms, falls under this category of **biohazardous waste**. *Blue bag* - This bag is typically used for **reusable linen** or certain types of **non-infectious waste** in healthcare settings. - It is not appropriate for discarding items that have been in contact with patient samples, like a throat swab. *White bag* - White bags are generally used for **general waste** or **non-hazardous office waste**, which is not infectious. - A throat swab from a patient with a suspected infection is considered hazardous and infectious, making a white bag unsuitable. *Yellow bag* - Yellow bags are used for the disposal of **clinical waste** such as anatomical/pathological waste, pharmaceutical waste, or items requiring incineration. - While some infectious waste may go in yellow bags, the red bag is more specifically designated for contaminated infectious waste like used swabs. *Black bag* - Black bags are used for **general non-hazardous waste** that does not pose any infectious or chemical risk. - A used throat swab from a patient with suspected infection is biohazardous and must not be disposed of in a black bag.