NEET-PG 2021 - Patient Safety PYQs Practice Questions

Q: Swab is discarded in which color bin

Yellow bag. ***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. [Practice more Patient Safety PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: Which of the following is most appropriate for managing a blood spill?

Sodium Hypochlorite. ***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. [Practice more Patient Safety PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: 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?

Red bag. ***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. [Practice more Patient Safety PYQs on OnCourse]

Question 1

Swab is discarded in which color bin

Accepted Answer

Yellow bag

Answer

White bag

Answer

Red bag

Answer

Blue bag

Answer

Green bag

Question 2

Which of the following is most appropriate for managing a blood spill?

Accepted Answer

Sodium Hypochlorite

Answer

Chlorhexidine

Answer

Formaldehyde

Answer

Ethyl Alcohol

Answer

Hydrogen Peroxide

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?

Accepted Answer

Red bag

Answer

Blue bag

Answer

White bag

Answer

Yellow bag

Answer

Black bag

NEET-PG 2021 — Patient Safety