51. While training a new nursing assistant, John, you should tell them that only _____ should be disposed of in a sharps container.
Answer: D
Only needles should be disposed of in a sharps container.
Sharps containers are specifically designed for the safe disposal of needles to prevent injury and contamination. It is crucial for nursing assistants to understand that only items classified as sharps, such as needles, should be placed in these containers.
A) orange stick
An orange stick is not considered a sharp object and does not pose a risk of injury or contamination. Therefore, it should not be disposed of in a sharps container, making this option incorrect.
B) dirty gloves
Dirty gloves, while they may carry pathogens, are not sharp objects and should be disposed of in regular waste containers designated for biohazard materials, not in a sharps container. This makes this option incorrect.
C) broken glass
Broken glass can be sharp and hazardous, but it should not be placed in a sharps container, which is reserved for specific medical instruments like needles. Instead, broken glass should be disposed of in designated glass disposal containers. Thus, this option is incorrect.
D) needles
Needles are classified as sharps and are specifically designed to be disposed of in sharps containers due to their potential to cause injury and transmit infections. This makes this option correct.
Conclusion
The only correct choice is D, as needles are the only items that should be disposed of in a sharps container due to their risk of causing injury and transmitting diseases. All other options fail to meet the criteria for sharps disposal, highlighting the importance of proper waste management in healthcare settings.