A nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene. Which action should the nurse take for hand hygiene to be effective?
Rub soap on hands for 20 seconds.
Allow hands and arms to dry.
Hold the hands higher than the elbows.
Adjust the water temperature to feel hot.
The Correct Answer is A
Effective hand hygiene is crucial in preventing the spread of infections in healthcare settings. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health organizations provide guidelines on proper hand hygiene techniques to ensure maximum effectiveness.
Choice A Reason:
“Rub soap on hands for 20 seconds.”
This is the correct action for effective hand hygiene. According to the CDC, scrubbing your hands for at least 20 seconds is essential to remove germs effectively. This duration ensures that all surfaces of the hands, including the backs, between the fingers, and under the nails, are thoroughly cleaned. The CDC recommends singing the “Happy Birthday” song twice as a timer to ensure you scrub for the full 20 seconds.
Choice B Reason:
“Allow hands and arms to dry.”
While drying hands is an important step in hand hygiene, it is not the primary action that makes hand hygiene effective. The focus should be on the thorough scrubbing and cleaning of the hands. After washing, hands should be dried using a clean towel or air dryer to prevent the transfer of germs from wet hands.
Choice C Reason:
“Hold the hands higher than the elbows.”
This technique is often used in surgical hand antisepsis to prevent water from running from the hands down to the elbows, potentially contaminating the hands again. However, for routine hand hygiene, this is not necessary. The primary focus should be on the thorough washing and scrubbing of the hands.
Choice D Reason:
“Adjust the water temperature to feel hot.”
The temperature of the water is less important than the act of scrubbing itself. The CDC states that hands can be washed with either warm or cold water. The key is to use soap and scrub all surfaces of the hands for at least 20 seconds. Hot water can actually be harsh on the skin and is not required for effective hand hygiene.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Ask close-ended questions is incorrect. Close-ended questions typically elicit short, specific responses such as “yes” or “no.” While they can be useful in certain situations, they do not provide enough information to thoroughly assess a client’s mental status. Open-ended questions allow the client to express themselves more fully, providing the nurse with better insight into their cognitive function.
Choice B Reason:
Ask open-ended questions is correct. Open-ended questions encourage the client to elaborate on their thoughts and feelings, which can reveal more about their mental status. This type of questioning helps the nurse assess the client’s orientation, memory, and thought processes more effectively.
Choice C Reason:
Use directive questions is incorrect. Directive questions are more structured and guide the client towards specific answers. While they can be useful for obtaining specific information, they do not allow for a comprehensive assessment of the client’s mental status.
Choice D Reason:
Use reflective questions is incorrect. Reflective questions are used to encourage the client to think more deeply about their responses and feelings. While they can be helpful in therapeutic settings, they are not the most effective for an initial assessment of mental status.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Defamation of character is incorrect. Defamation of character involves making false statements about someone that damage their reputation. This can be in the form of slander (spoken) or libel (written). Applying restraints without proper justification does not fall under defamation of character.
Choice B Reason:
Invasion of privacy is incorrect. Invasion of privacy involves intruding into someone’s personal life without consent. This can include unauthorized access to personal information or spaces. Applying restraints without proper justification is not an invasion of privacy.
Choice C Reason:
Slander is incorrect. Slander is a form of defamation that involves making false spoken statements that damage someone’s reputation. Applying restraints without proper justification does not involve making false statements.
Choice D Reason:
False imprisonment is correct. False imprisonment involves restraining a person without legal justification or their consent. In a healthcare setting, applying restraints without proper justification or following legal and ethical guidelines constitutes false imprisonment and violates the client’s rights.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.