Infection Control · single question
Per OSHA's definition of regulated medical waste (items contaminated with blood/OPIM capable of releasing these fluids), which item is most clearly regulated waste?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Broken glass contaminated with blood/OPIM (regulated both as a sharp AND as blood-contaminated material)
Broken glass contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious material (OPIM) is unambiguously regulated waste — it qualifies both because sharps are automatically regulated regardless of contamination level, AND because it is itself contaminated with blood/OPIM. An intact, used anesthetic carpule with only trace fluid is a more ambiguous case that may not meet OSHA's specific 'capable of releasing fluid when compressed' threshold for regulated waste status, depending on the actual amount of contamination present.
Practice Infection Control questions Infection Control study notes