Question

a nurse is washing their hands with soap and water prior to repositioning a client in bed. during the handwashing procedure, it is important to take which of the following actions?
make sure that the water is hot.
wash for at least 20 seconds.
use a liquid soap preparation.
remove rings and watches first.

Explanation:

• For "Make sure that the water is hot": Hot water isn't necessary; warm water is preferred as hot water can irritate skin.
• For "Wash for at least 20 seconds": This is a key part of proper handwashing (as per infection control guidelines) to effectively remove microbes.
• For "Use a liquid soap preparation": Bar soap can be used too (if kept dry between uses), so this isn't a must - do.
• For "Remove rings and watches first": While this is good practice, the most critical action for effective handwashing (to meet infection control) is the duration of washing (at least 20 seconds).

Answer:

B. Wash for at least 20 seconds.