While making a home visit the nurse learns that a patient self-administering insulin injections is placing the used needles and syringes in the family's trash can. What action should the nurse take?
1. Instruct the patient to place the needles and syringes in a separate plastic bag.
2. Nothing, because these needles and syringes are harmless to the general population.
3. Ask the patient to save all used syringes and needles after use for the nurse to dispose of.
4. Teach the patient to place all used syringes and needles into the red biohazard sharps box.
Correct Answer: 4
The disposal of sharp objects such as needles used for injections is a safety issue in the home. The nurse must address this with the patient, demonstrate safe disposal, and provide the necessary equipment for safe disposal. Used needles and syringes should not be placed in a plastic bag. They could puncture the bag and cause someone harm. Doing nothing would be considered negligence on the part of the nurse. The nurse is not responsible for disposing of a patient's used needles and syringes.
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