Final answer:
The true statement regarding the storage of trash bags containing PHI is that they should be stored separately from other trash and labeled with a "Confidential Waste" sticker.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the student's question about the storage of blue and green trash bags containing Protected Health Information (PHI) is that these bags should be stored separately from other trash and should be labeled with a "Confidential Waste" sticker. PHI is sensitive information and, therefore, requires special handling to ensure privacy and compliance with regulations such as HIPAA.
When disposing of PHI, organizations must take measures to prevent unauthorized access to this information. This includes storing PHI in a secure manner until it can be properly destroyed.
The clear trash bags would not provide the necessary privacy, and placing PHI with regular trash could lead to unintended disclosure. Therefore, options a and d are not correct. The proper way to store these bags is to label them and segregate them from other waste to ensure they are handled securely.