Which statement about performing hand hygiene using soap and water is correct

Learn how to perform hand hygiene with soap and water.

Handwashing is performed routinely by healthcare workers to help prevent the spread of germs. It is essential that nurses use proper technique when performing hand hygiene.

There are two ways to perform hand hygiene. This can be achieved by either using soap and water or an alcohol-based handrub (also called hand sanitizer or hand gel).

When should you perform hand hygiene?

Hand hygiene is ALWAYS performed:

  • before and after patient care
  • after coming into contact with any type of body fluid or open wound
  • after touching any object that is near a patient (hand railing, bedside table etc.)
  • after removing gloves
  • prior to eating
  • after using the bathroom

Now there are situations where you would use ONLY soap and water rather than an alcohol-based handrub. So, when MUST you use only soap and water to perform hand hygiene rather than an alcohol-based handrub?

According to the CDC.gov guidelines, you would use soap and water when:

  • hands are visibly dirty
  • after known or suspected exposure to Clostridium difficile (c. diff), if your facility is experiencing an outbreak or higher endemic rates
  • after known or suspected exposure to patients with infectious diarrhea during norovirus outbreaks
  • if exposure to Bacillus anthracis (anthrax) is suspected or proven
  • before eating
  • after using a restroom

(“Healthcare Providers | Hand Hygiene | CDC”, 2018)


Supplies: soap, paper towels, and running water

Note: It’s best not to wear jewelry during patient care because it can harbor germs. Always check with your facilities protocols about their policy on jewelry because some areas like surgery may prohibit employees from wearing jewelry.  If you can wear jewelry and it was worn during patient care (like a wedding band) keep it on during hand hygiene and make sure you clean the band and skin underneath. If you remove the band prior to handwashing and then put in back on after your hands are clean, you just recontaminated your hands.

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References:

Healthcare Providers | Hand Hygiene | CDC. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/handhygiene/providers/index.html

What is hand hygiene? 

Hand hygiene is a way of cleaning one’s hands that substantially reduces potential pathogens (harmful microorganisms) on the hands. Hand hygiene is considered a primary measure for reducing the risk of transmitting infection among patients and health care personnel. Hand hygiene procedures include the use of alcohol-based hand rubs (containing 60%–95% alcohol) and hand washing with soap and water. For surgical procedures, perform a surgical hand scrub before putting on sterile surgeon’s gloves. For routine dental examinations and nonsurgical procedures, use an alcohol-based hand rub or use water and plain or antimicrobial soap specific for health care settings. Unless hands are visibly soiled (e.g., dirt, blood, body fluids), an alcohol-based hand rub is preferred over soap and water in most clinical situations because it:

  • Is more effective than soap at killing potentially deadly germs on hands
  • Requires less time
  • Is more accessible than handwashing sinks
  • Produces reduced bacterial counts on hands, and
  • Improves skin condition with less irritation and dryness than soap and water

For more information on Hand Hygiene, please visit CDC’s Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings.

Always perform hand hygiene in the following situations:

  • Before and after treating each patient (e.g., before and after gloving).
  • After touching with bare hands instruments, equipment, materials, and other objects that are likely to be contaminated by blood, saliva, or respiratory secretions.
  • Before leaving the dental treatment area.
  • When hands are visibly soiled.
  • Before regloving and after removing gloves that are torn, cut, or punctured.

Using alcohol-based hand rub (follow manufacturer directions):

  • Dispense the recommended amount of product
  • Apply product to the palm of one hand
  • Rub hands together, making sure that all surfaces of hands and fingers are covered until they are dry (no rinsing is required)

Hand washing with soap and water:

  • Wet hands first with water (do not use hot water)
  • Apply soap to hands
  • Rub hands vigorously for at least 15 seconds, covering all surfaces of hands and fingers
  • Rinse hands with water and dry thoroughly with a paper towel
  • Use a paper towel to turn off the water faucet

Surgical hand hygiene/antisepsis:

  • Use either an antimicrobial soap or alcohol-based surgical hand-scrub product with continuous activity
  • Antimicrobial soap: scrub hands and forearms for length of time recommended by manufacturer
  • Alcohol-based surgical hand-scrub product: follow manufacturer’s recommendations. Before applying, wash hands and forearms with a non-antimicrobial soap

Store and dispense products according to manufacturer’s instructions. Products such as liquid soaps and lotions can become contaminated with bacteria or other microorganisms. Liquid products should be stored in closed containers and dispensed from either disposable containers or containers that are washed and dried thoroughly before refilling. Soap should not be added to a partially empty dispenser; the practice of “topping off” might lead to bacterial contamination of soap and cancel the beneficial effect of hand cleaning and disinfection.

Yes, certain types of lotions such as those that contain petroleum can weaken latex gloves and increase porousness. If using lotions during the workday, select a water-based product. Lotions that contain petroleum or other oil emollients should only be used at the end of the workday. When choosing a lotion to use in the dental office, get information from the manufacturer about interaction between gloves, lotions, dental materials, and antimicrobial products.

Selected References and Additional Resources

CDC. Guideline for hand hygiene in health care settings: Recommendations of the Health Care Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee and the HICPAC/SHEA/APIC/IDSA Hand Hygiene Task Force. MMWR 2002;51(No. RR-16). Available at: www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/rr/rr5116.pdf pdf icon[PDF-1.2M]. Accessed June 27, 2015.

CDC. Basic Expectations for Safe Care Training Module 2 – Hand Hygiene. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/infectioncontrol/safe-care-modules.htm. Accessed May 8, 2018.

CDC. Guidelines for infection control in dental health-care settings – 2003. MMWR 2003; 52(No. RR-17):1–66. Available at: www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/rr/rr5217.pdf pdf icon[PDF-1.5M]. Accessed June 27, 2015.

CDC. Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings Educational Material https://www.cdc.gov/handhygiene/

Ellingson K, et. Al. Strategies to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections through Hand Hygiene. A Compendium of Strategies to Prevent Healthcare-associated Infections in Acute care Hospitals: 2014 Updates.Infect Control and Hospital Epidemiol 2014;35 No. S2: S155-S178.

Momeni, SS, Tomlin N, Ruby JD. Isolation of Raoultella planticola from refillable antimicrobial liquid soap dispensers in a dental setting. J Am Dent Assoc 2015;146:241–245.

Myers R, Larson E, Cheng B, Schwartz A, Da Silva K, Kunzel C. Hand hygiene among general practice dentists a survey of knowledge, attitudes and practices. J Am Dent Assoc 2008;139:948–957.

Which of the following is the proper procedure for hand hygiene using soap and water quizlet?

Turn on the faucet and adjust the force and temperature of the water..
Wet the hands and wrists..
Apply soap..
Wash the palms and backs of the hands for at least 20 seconds..
Pat the hands dry with a paper towel..
Turn the faucet off with a paper towel..

When using soap and water to perform hand hygiene how much soap should the nursing assistant use?

Put soap on your hands and wrists. This should be about 1 teaspoon, which is equal to 5 milliliters of soap. Most soap dispensers in the hospital are automative and will properly dispense the amount of soap you need to perform hand hygiene. Lather the hands and wrists with the soap.

When using soap and water to perform hand hygiene how much soap should the nursing assistant use quizlet?

Typically how much liquid soap should be applied for hand washing? 3-5 mL of liquid soap.