Final answer:
Safety features for hypodermic needles are designed to prevent injuries and reduce infection risks, with special devices aiding those at high exposure risk such as drug addicts, phlebotomists, and dentists. These include sheathing, retractable needles, and auto-disable syringes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The safety features for hypodermic needles are designed to prevent needlestick injuries and reduce the risk of infections. These safety devices can be particularly beneficial for individuals who are at an increased risk of exposure to infected needles, such as drug addicts, and for those in professions with a higher likelihood of accidental needle sticks like phlebotomists and dentists.
- Safety-engineered needles come with a sheath that slides over the needle after use, preventing accidental sticks.
- Needles with retractable features where the needle retracts into the syringe after use, also reducing injury risk.
- Auto-disable syringes are designed to prevent re-use by automatically disabling the syringe after a single use.
These features are critical for ensuring the safety of those who administer injections as well as those who might come in contact with used needles.