Which of the following describes the proper steps for performing hand hygiene before resident care?

• A. Dry hands with a shared towel.
• B. Use hot water only and scrub for 5 seconds.
• C. Air dry hands and reuse the towel.
• D. Wet hands, apply soap, lather for at least 20 seconds, clean under nails, rinse, dry completely with a disposable towel, and turn off faucet with the towel.

Answer: (D)

Thorough hand hygiene before resident care depends on a complete sequence that effectively removes germs and prevents recontamination. Start by wetting the hands, then apply soap and lather for at least 20 seconds, making sure to clean under the nails and between the fingers. Rinse everything off, then dry completely with a disposable towel. Use that same towel to turn off the faucet, so clean hands don’t touch the faucet handle and pick up more germs. This combination of proper duration, full coverage (including under the nails), thorough rinsing, and controlled drying with a disposable towel is what makes the hand-washing process effective. Choices that rely on a shared towel, on hot water alone for a short scrub, or on air drying while reusing a towel miss essential steps and can lead to recontamination.