Question

A medical assistant is cleaning a room following a surgical procedure. What action should the medical assistant take to ensure proper biohazardous waste handling of used gauze pads?

Answer 1

A medical assistant should wear protective gloves, place used gauze pads in a biohazard waste container, seal the waste, wash hands thoroughly, and follow facility protocols for sterilization and disposal to handle biohazardous waste properly.

Step-by-step explanation:

To ensure proper biohazardous waste handling of used gauze pads, a medical assistant should follow these steps:

1. Immediately after the surgical procedure, wear protective gloves before handling any contaminated materials, including used gauze pads.
2. Identify and segregate biohazardous waste from regular trash; used gauze pads that have come into contact with body fluids are considered biohazardous.
3. Place the used gauze pads in a designated biohazard waste container, which is usually marked with the international biohazard symbol.
4. Ensure the biohazard waste is sealed properly, often in red biohazard bags, to avoid any leakage or exposure.
5. After disposing of the gauze pads, remove the protective gloves and perform handwashing thoroughly with soap and water to minimize the risk of contamination.
6. Lastly, follow the facility’s procedures for the sterilization (often by autoclaving) and final disposal of the biohazard waste.

By following these steps, the medical assistant guarantees that biohazardous waste is handled safely and hygienically, reducing the risk of infection or contamination to staff and patients.