State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA) Practice Exam 2025 – Comprehensive All-in-One Prep for Exam Success!

Clean bed linen that has been placed in a client's room but remains unused needs to be handled with caution due to infection control protocols. When bed linen sits in a client's room, it may become contaminated by the environment or through contact with the client's belongings, even if it has not been physically used for sleeping.

Thus, the appropriate action is to place this linen in the dirty linen container, ensuring that any potential contaminants do not linger in the room or get inadvertently transferred to another client. This practice protects both clients and staff from the risk of spreading bacteria or pathogens. By discarding it in the dirty linen container, the linen can be properly laundered before reuse.

Other options, such as returning the linen to the linen closet or moving it to another room, may inadvertently pose risks of cross-contamination. Utilizing the unused linen for another client may not adhere to best practices of hygiene and sanitation, which prioritize the safety and health of all clients within a healthcare setting.