Nurses on an inpatient care unit are working to help reduce unit costs. Which of the following actions is appropriate to include in the cost-containment plan?

The correct answer is C: Use clean gloves rather than sterile gloves for colostomy care. Using clean gloves for colostomy care instead of sterile gloves can help reduce costs without compromising patient safety. Sterile gloves are more expensive and necessary only in specific situations where aseptic technique is crucial, such as during invasive procedures. For routine colostomy care, clean gloves provide adequate protection.

A: Storing opened bottles of normal saline in a refrigerator for up to 48 hours may compromise the sterility of the solution, leading to potential contamination and patient harm.
B: Waiting to dispose of sharps containers until they are completely full may increase the risk of needlestick injuries and infection, which can result in higher costs due to potential healthcare-associated infections.
D: Returning unused supplies from the bedside to the unit's supply stock is a good practice to reduce waste, but it may not significantly impact costs compared to using clean gloves instead of sterile gloves for colostomy care.