Which action best demonstrates proper hand hygiene before providing care?

• A. Wash hands with soap for at least 20 seconds
• B. Wet hands with warm water
• C. Rinse quickly under cold water
• D. Dry hands with dirty towel

Answer: (A)

Hand hygiene before providing care is essential to prevent the spread of infection. The best action is washing hands with soap for at least 20 seconds. Soap and friction remove and kill germs from all hand surfaces—palms, backs, between fingers, under nails, and around the wrists—then hands are rinsed and dried with a clean, disposable towel. This thorough cleaning breaks the chain of transmission to the patient and to you.

Wetting hands with warm water alone lacks the cleansing action needed to remove microbes. Rinsing quickly under cold water doesn’t provide enough time or friction to reduce germs. Drying on a dirty towel can contaminate your hands again. If hands are visibly dirty or contaminated, soap and water are required rather than relying on sanitizer.