Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 66%
Simulated
A nurse caring for a client who has an infected wound removes a dressing saturated with blood and purulent drainage. How should the nurse dispose of the dressing material?
Correct answer
D
Rationale
The correct answer is D: Dispose of the dressing in a biohazardous waste container. This is the appropriate disposal method for contaminated materials like blood and purulent drainage, which can potentially harbor infectious organisms. By disposing of the dressing in a biohazardous waste container, the nurse helps prevent the spread of infection to others.
A: Discarding the dressing in the bedside trash receptacle is incorrect because it can expose others to the infectious material.
B: Enclosing the dressing in a single clear plastic bag and discarding it in the trash receptacle is insufficient to contain the contamination effectively.
C: Double-bagging the dressing in clear bags and labeling it 'biohazard' is better than the first two options but is not as secure as disposing of it in a biohazardous waste container.
A: Discarding the dressing in the bedside trash receptacle is incorrect because it can expose others to the infectious material.
B: Enclosing the dressing in a single clear plastic bag and discarding it in the trash receptacle is insufficient to contain the contamination effectively.
C: Double-bagging the dressing in clear bags and labeling it 'biohazard' is better than the first two options but is not as secure as disposing of it in a biohazardous waste container.