What is a recommended practice to reduce needlestick injuries after use?

What is a recommended practice to reduce needlestick injuries after use?

• A. Recap the needle after use.
• B. Bend the needle to break it.
• C. Dispose of the needle in regular trash.
• D. Use safety-engineered sharps devices or activate needle guards immediately after use.

Answer: (D)

Using safety-engineered sharps devices and activating needle guards immediately after use minimizes exposure to the sharp by keeping the needle enclosed during and after the procedure. These features are designed to shield the point as soon as the job is done, reducing the risk of a needle-stick during disposal or cleanup. Recapping or bending the needle increases risk and is unsafe, while disposing in regular trash bypasses proper containment. Proper practice means using devices with safety features and placing used sharps into an approved sharps container right away.

Using safety-engineered sharps devices and activating needle guards immediately after use minimizes exposure to the sharp by keeping the needle enclosed during and after the procedure. These features are designed to shield the point as soon as the job is done, reducing the risk of a needle-stick during disposal or cleanup. Recapping or bending the needle increases risk and is unsafe, while disposing in regular trash bypasses proper containment. Proper practice means using devices with safety features and placing used sharps into an approved sharps container right away.