Final answer:
Used hypodermic needles should be disposed of in an FDA-approved sharps disposal container, following health safety protocols to prevent needle-stick injuries and infections.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most appropriate procedure for the disposal of used hypodermic needles is to place them in an FDA-approved sharps disposal container.
Used hypodermic needles, being potentially contaminated waste, pose a high risk of needle-stick injuries and infections. Proper disposal is critical to ensure health and safety. Needles should not be recapped, bent, broken, or manipulated by hand and must be immediately placed in a specially designed sharps disposal container that is puncture-resistant, leak-proof, and labeled or color-coded.
These containers should then be disposed of according to local regulations which usually require incineration or autoclaving. It is crucial for personnel handling such waste, including phlebotomists and dentists, to wear protective gear and follow protocols for decontamination in case of skin contact as outlined by health safety guidelines.