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Lab Value

Question

A nurse instructs a client on safe disposal of insulin syringes and needles when at home. Which statement by the client indicates that additional teaching is needed?

Used needles and syringes should not be placed in the household trash because of the risk of needlestick injuries to waste management personnel.

Scooping the cap to cover the needle protects others from needlestick injuries. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2004) recommends that at-home syringes and needles be disposed of through use of needle destruction devices, sharps mail-back programs, community drop-off programs, or household hazardous waste facilities.

QID:107843