Question

a nurse is preparing to obtain a clients vital signs. which of the following actions should the nurse take when washing their hands?

• rinse their forearms with running water before applying soap
• hold their hands above elbow level while washing and rinsing
• generate a lather by rubbing their hands together vigorously for 5 seconds.
• turn off the faucet with a clean paper towel after drying hands.

Explanation:

• For the first option: The correct handwashing procedure is to apply soap first, not rinse forearms before soap. So this is incorrect.
• For the second option: Hands should be held below elbow level (so that water flows from least to most contaminated area, hands to elbows) during handwashing, not above. So this is incorrect.
• For the third option: The lathering and rubbing should be for at least 20 seconds, not 5 seconds. So this is incorrect.
• For the fourth option: After drying hands, using a clean paper towel to turn off the faucet prevents re - contamination, which is a correct handwashing practice.

Answer:

D. Turn off the faucet with a clean paper towel after drying hands