After giving a subcutaneous injection, what should the nurse do with the needle?

A. Bend the needle before disposal
B. Place it on the bedside table to dispose of later
C. Activate the safety device and place it in a sharps container right away
D. Recap the needle using both hands

Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: C

Needles are not recapped by hand, bent, or broken. Use the safety device and discard immediately in a puncture-resistant sharps container at the point of use.

Source: OSHA. Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030

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This question is one of 163 Safety and Infection Prevention and Control items in NCLEXSim. On the NCLEX-RN, this category makes up 10–16% of the exam.

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Study tip

Memorize isolation by organism: airborne (TB, measles, varicella), droplet (influenza, pertussis, mumps, meningococcus), contact (C. difficile, MRSA, scabies, RSV).
Drill the PPE sequences: on is gown, mask, eyewear, gloves; off is gloves, eyewear, gown, mask, then hand hygiene.

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