A nurse teaches a newly licensed nurse about reducing the risk of needlestick injuries. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

A. Engaging the safety mechanism immediately after withdrawing a needle from a patient is the most effective way to prevent accidental percutaneous injuries. This action shields the contaminated sharp before any transport or disposal occurs. Prompt activation reduces the window of time during which an exposed, contaminated needle poses a biological hazard to the healthcare worker. B. All needles, regardless of gauge or bore size, must be disposed of in puncture-resistant, leak-proof sharps containers rather than standard wastebaskets. Waterproof wastebaskets do not provide the necessary physical barrier to prevent needles from piercing the sides and injuring staff. Proper disposal in designated sharps bins is a fundamental requirement of OSHA bloodborne pathogen standards. C. Bending, breaking, or recapping needles is strictly prohibited because these actions significantly increase the risk of an accidental needlestick. Manipulating a contaminated sharp brings the nurse's hands into close proximity with the needle point, leading to high rates of injury. Needles should be disposed of intact into a sharps container immediately following their clinical use. D. Sharps containers should be replaced when they are 75% full to prevent overfilling and the risk of needles protruding from the opening. Attempting to use a container until it is completely full often leads to "shunting" or forcing sharps inside, which is a common cause of injury. Maintaining a clear safety margin at the top of the container ensures safe disposal.