Final answer:
Contaminated objects that can penetrate the skin, such as needles and scalpels, are known as sharps. These items pose a risk of infection if contaminated and require careful disposal in designated sharps containers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Contaminated objects that can penetrate the skin, including needles, scalpels, broken glass, capillary tubes, and exposed ends of dental wires, are known as sharps. Sharps are a subset of biohazards but are specifically categorized by their ability to puncture or cut skin, presenting a significant risk of infection if they are contaminated with biohazardous material like bloodborne pathogens.
In medical settings, these items require careful disposal in designated sharps containers to prevent injury and the spread of infection. A non-sharps medical item that comes into contact with intact skin and does not penetrate sterile tissues or come into contact with mucous membranes is non-critical and requires less stringent disinfection procedures compared to sharps.
However, when sharps are used in procedures, they can introduce pathogens into the bloodstream, leading to infections. To mitigate the risks associated with sharps and other laboratory hazards, personnel must adhere to safety protocols which include the use of protective equipment and proper sterilization techniques.