Final answer:
Contaminated needles and syringes without self-sheathing devices should be immediately placed in a sharps container, following proper safety protocols to avoid the spread of infections and maintain an aseptic environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct response to the question about how to handle contaminated needles and syringes that do not have self-sheathing devices is option B) Placed in a sharps container. These used medical items are considered biohazards because they may contain blood contaminated with disease-causing organisms. Thus, precautions need to be taken to prevent infection and the spread of illnesses. To maintain an aseptic work environment, all potentially contaminated items should be disposed of in a safe and appropriate manner. Contaminated needles should never be recapped, discarded in regular trash, or reused, even after disinfection. Instead, they must be placed directly into a designated sharps disposal container, which are usually puncture-resistant, leak-proof, and properly labeled to prevent needle-stick injuries and cross-contamination.