Question

T or F: It is appropriate to discard all empty medication bottles and solution containers in the procedure room after dispensing the medication on the sterile field

Answer 1

Discarding empty medication bottles and solution containers directly in the procedure room is false. Proper disposal protocols must be followed to maintain a sterile environment and minimize contamination risks.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that it is appropriate to discard all empty medication bottles and solution containers in the procedure room after dispensing the medication on the sterile field is false. In medical environments, maintaining a sterile field is crucial to prevent contamination and sepsis. It is proper practice to handle sterile liquids with care, ensuring that tools like pipettes do not make contact with hands, skin, or lab surfaces. Containers that have held medications or solutions should be discarded according to specific safety protocols designed to maintain sterility and control contamination risks.

Procedures involving a risk for contamination, such as those that occur in an operating room or during the preparation of sterile laboratory cultures, require that all disposables be removed from the sterile field and disposed of in a manner that prevents contamination of the environment or other sterile areas. They may require placement in designated biohazard containers or autoclave bags for proper disposal. This reduces the risk of airborne contaminants entering sterile solutions or culture media when transferring substances among bottles and tubes.