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A Nurse is caring for client who has pneumonia. The nurse should recognize which of the following should be discarded in a biohazard bag?

1) An emesis basin filled with blood from severe coughing
2) A bedpan containing diarrhea from a client who was receiving antibiotics
3) A disposable tissue containing expectorated sputum
4) A caLiBrated toilet insert filled with urine

1 Answer

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Final answer:

Among the options, an emesis basin filled with blood (option 1) and a disposable tissue containing expectorated sputum (option 3) should be discarded in a biohazard bag since they could contain infectious agents. Other materials such as urine generally do not require biohazard disposal unless visibly contaminated with blood.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse caring for a client with pneumonia should understand the proper disposal of biohazard material to prevent the spread of infection. According to health regulations, biohazardous waste, such as materials contaminated with potentially infectious agents, should be disposed of in a particular manner to eliminate the risk of exposure to others.

Among the options provided, the nurse should discard an emesis basin filled with blood from severe coughing (option 1) in a biohazard bag. Blood is considered a biohazard because it could contain disease-causing organisms. While a bedpan containing diarrhea (option 2) may also be considered a biohazard, especially if the patient is known to have a contagious condition like Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile), safe disposal would typically involve additional steps such as sanitizing the bedpan, unless it is disposable. A disposable tissue containing expectorated sputum (option 3) also should be discarded in a biohazard bag since sputum from a pneumonia patient can contain infectious agents. A calibrated toilet insert filled with urine (option 4), in general, is not considered a biohazard unless it contains visibly bloody discharges; hence, it doesn't always require disposal in a biohazard bag.

Biohazardous materials should be properly sterilized through autoclaving before disposal or incineration. It is also essential that personnel handle contaminated materials using proper protective gear and follow safety procedures for decontamination and disposal. The international symbol for biohazards should mark all containers used for the disposal of biohazardous waste.

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