RN Exam Practice
Safety and Infection ControlQuestion 1597 of 2368

A nurse notes that the sharps container on the unit is about three-quarters full. What is the appropriate action?

  1. Follow agency policy for proper disposal of the container
  2. Press the contents down to make room for more sharps
  3. Keep using it until sharps stick out of the opening
  4. Empty the contents into a biohazard bag
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Correct answer: Follow agency policy for proper disposal of the container

A sharps container is handled per agency policy when it is about three-quarters full, rather than being overfilled or emptied by hand.

Source: Nursing Skills, 2nd edition (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2023), Aseptic Technique: Sharps Safety. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Practice the topic "Safety and Infection Control"

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026