A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a group of newly licensed nurses about preventing needlestick injuries. Which of the following actions should the nurse recommend?

Choice A rationale Breaking needles in half is a dangerous practice that increases the risk of accidental percutaneous injury (needlestick) from shattered or flying fragments. This action is strongly contraindicated by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations and safe injection practices, which mandate immediate disposal of intact, used sharp objects into designated puncture-proof containers to prevent pathogen transmission. Choice B rationale Recapping needles is generally prohibited, especially using a two-handed technique, as it is the most common mechanism for sustaining a needlestick injury. Placing a capped needle in a regular wastebasket is incorrect and unsafe, as sharps must be disposed of immediately in a proper, rigid, puncture-proof sharps container at the point of use to contain biohazards. Choice C rationale Not recapping the needle on an Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) specimen is a critical safety measure consistent with the "never recap a contaminated needle" rule. ABG collection kits often contain a safety device or require immediate, one-handed disposal of the needle into a sharps container to minimize exposure risk to bloodborne pathogens like Hepatitis B, C, and HIV. Choice D rationale Placing uncapped needles in a puncture-proof container immediately after use adheres to stringent safety guidelines to prevent needlestick injuries. This practice ensures sharps are contained in a properly labeled, rigid, leak-proof receptacle that is closed when full, thereby safeguarding healthcare workers and environmental services personnel from accidental exposure.