Final answer:
The true statement is that if a surgical needle breaks, all pieces must be accounted for. Used needles should be disposed of into a sharp container and should not be placed back into the suture packet or sharpened if defective.
Step-by-step explanation:
Safe Handling of Surgical Needles
Concerning the handling of surgical needles, the true statement is as follows: If the needle breaks, all pieces must be accounted for. This is crucial in the medical field to ensure patient safety and to prevent any retained foreign objects in the patient's body post-surgery. When a needle is used, it is important to dispose of it into a sharp container to prevent injury and cross-contamination. Sharpening a needle that has burrs or defects is not advisable because it may compromise the needle's integrity and is a potential safety risk. Instead, the defective needle should be replaced. Similarly, used needles should never be placed back into the surgical suture packet, as this could lead to inaccurate counting and poses a risk for needle-stick injuries. During surgical procedures, a nurse often reviews items aloud with the team to ensure everything is accounted for, including needles.
Handling surgical equipment such as needles with care and awareness is part of creating an aseptic work environment, as metal tools like inoculating needles require sterilization prior to use to avoid microbial contamination. Additionally, proper disposal of used needles is part of indispensable safety protocols because, as a biohazard, they can harbor blood contaminated with disease-causing organisms. This aligns with universal health and safety standards in medical practices to ensure that risks are minimized both for the patient and the health care team.