What is the first step in proper hand hygiene before performing any resident care?

• A. Wet hands with clean, running water, apply soap, lather and scrub all surfaces for at least 20 seconds, rinse, and dry with a clean towel.
• B. Dry hands with a towel, then apply sanitizer.
• C. Turn on faucet, rinse hands briefly with cold water, then dry.
• D. Apply lotion to hands before washing.

Answer: (A)

Wetting hands with clean, running water before applying soap is the essential first step. Wetting helps the soap lather and lifts dirt and microbes so they can be washed away more effectively. After wetting, you apply soap and scrub all surfaces for at least 20 seconds, including between fingers and under nails, then rinse and dry with a clean towel. This order ensures thorough cleansing and reduces the chance of transferring organisms during resident care. Using sanitizer before washing isn’t appropriate when hands are visibly dirty or need a full wash, and drying with a towel before washing, rinsing briefly, or applying lotion beforehand won’t achieve proper disinfection and cleanliness.