A nursing assistant is preparing to help a resident with a bed bath. When should the nursing assistant perform hand hygiene?
- A.Only after completing the bath and removing gloves
- B.Before entering the room and after leaving the room only
- C.Before touching the resident, before clean procedures, after touching the resident, after touching the resident's surroundings, and after removing gloves
- D.Hand hygiene is only required when caring for residents with known infections
Show answer & rationale
Correct answer
C. Before touching the resident, before clean procedures, after touching the resident, after touching the resident's surroundings, and after removing gloves
Rationale
C is correct: The WHO's Five Moments of Hand Hygiene apply to all care, not just high-risk situations: (1) before touching a patient, (2) before clean/aseptic procedures, (3) after body fluid exposure risk, (4) after touching a patient, and (5) after touching the patient's surroundings. This comprehensive approach protects both residents and staff. A is incorrect: Performing hand hygiene only after the bath leaves the resident and environment unprotected during care. B is incorrect: While entering and exiting are important moments, there are additional required moments during care. D is incorrect: Standard precautions require hand hygiene for all residents regardless of known infection status.
Key concepts