Learn About Importance Of Hand Hygiene

1. Why is cleaning your hands between patients important?

So you are in compliance with HIPPA regulations.

To assure that you appear professional when working with residents.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other healthcare-related organizations believe that cleaning your hands before and after having contact with patients is one of the most important measures for preventing the spread of bacteria in healthcare settings.

Explanation

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other healthcare-related organizations believe that cleaning your hands before and after having contact with patients is one of the most important measures for preventing the spread of bacteria in healthcare settings.

2. Healthcare workers are exposed to germs on their hands by doing the following:

Pulling patients up in bed

Taking a blood pressure or pulse

Touching a patients hand

Touching equipment like bedside rails, over-bed tables, IV pumps

All of the above

Resistant germs (such as MRSA) on the skin or in the digestive tract of patients can often be found on the patient's gown, bed sheets, and on equipment items such as blood pressure cuffs, bedside rails, over bed tables, and IV pumps.

Explanation

Resistant germs (such as MRSA) on the skin or in the digestive tract of patients can often be found on the patient's gown, bed sheets, and on equipment items such as blood pressure cuffs, bedside rails, over bed tables, and IV pumps.

3. When compared to traditional soap and water handwashing, alcohol handrubs are more effective in reducing the number of germs on hands.

True

False

Alcohol handrubs also take less time to use, can be made more accessible than sinks, and cause less skin irritation and dryness.

Explanation

Alcohol handrubs also take less time to use, can be made more accessible than sinks, and cause less skin irritation and dryness.

4. How long should you scrub your hands together for when washing with soap and water?

5 seconds

10 seconds

15 seconds

2 minutes

Just long enough to get the suds off

When washing hands with soap and water, it is recommended to scrub them together for at least 15 seconds. This duration allows enough time for the soap to effectively remove dirt, bacteria, and viruses from the hands. It is important to thoroughly clean all areas of the hands, including the palms, back of the hands, between fingers, and under the nails. By scrubbing for 15 seconds, proper hand hygiene can be maintained, reducing the risk of spreading infections and promoting overall health and hygiene.

Explanation

When washing hands with soap and water, it is recommended to scrub them together for at least 15 seconds. This duration allows enough time for the soap to effectively remove dirt, bacteria, and viruses from the hands. It is important to thoroughly clean all areas of the hands, including the palms, back of the hands, between fingers, and under the nails. By scrubbing for 15 seconds, proper hand hygiene can be maintained, reducing the risk of spreading infections and promoting overall health and hygiene.

5. When using an alcohol-based handrub, after you've applied the rub, how long should it take of rubbing your hands together before your hands feel dry?

5 seconds

10 seconds

15 seconds

2 minutes

When using an alcohol-based handrub, it should take approximately 15 seconds of rubbing your hands together before your hands feel dry. This is because the alcohol in the handrub evaporates quickly, leaving the hands dry and free from any residue. Rubbing the hands together for this duration ensures that the handrub is distributed evenly and effectively over the entire surface of the hands, promoting proper hand hygiene.

Explanation

When using an alcohol-based handrub, it should take approximately 15 seconds of rubbing your hands together before your hands feel dry. This is because the alcohol in the handrub evaporates quickly, leaving the hands dry and free from any residue. Rubbing the hands together for this duration ensures that the handrub is distributed evenly and effectively over the entire surface of the hands, promoting proper hand hygiene.

6. What reasons do healthcare workers cite as being problematic to washing hands with soap and water (mark all that apply)

Inconvenient

Time-consuming

Causes skin irritation

Causes skin dryness

None of the above

Healthcare workers may find washing hands with soap and water inconvenient because they may have to leave their workstations or patient's bedside to access a sink. It can also be time-consuming as they may need to spend a significant amount of time washing and drying their hands properly. Additionally, frequent handwashing with soap and water can cause skin irritation and dryness due to the harsh chemicals present in the soap. Therefore, healthcare workers may cite all of these reasons as problematic to washing hands with soap and water.

Explanation

Healthcare workers may find washing hands with soap and water inconvenient because they may have to leave their workstations or patient's bedside to access a sink. It can also be time-consuming as they may need to spend a significant amount of time washing and drying their hands properly. Additionally, frequent handwashing with soap and water can cause skin irritation and dryness due to the harsh chemicals present in the soap. Therefore, healthcare workers may cite all of these reasons as problematic to washing hands with soap and water.

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7. When should you wash your hands with soap and water? (mark all that apply)

Your hands are visibly dirty

Between patients

Your hands are visibly contaminated with blood or body fluids

Before and after eating

After using the restroom

The correct answer is to wash your hands with soap and water when your hands are visibly dirty, when your hands are visibly contaminated with blood or body fluids, before and after eating, and after using the restroom. This is because washing your hands with soap and water helps to remove dirt, germs, and other contaminants that may be present on your hands. Washing your hands before and after eating helps to prevent the spread of germs from your hands to your food and vice versa. Similarly, washing your hands after using the restroom helps to prevent the spread of germs from your hands to other surfaces and objects.

Explanation

The correct answer is to wash your hands with soap and water when your hands are visibly dirty, when your hands are visibly contaminated with blood or body fluids, before and after eating, and after using the restroom. This is because washing your hands with soap and water helps to remove dirt, germs, and other contaminants that may be present on your hands. Washing your hands before and after eating helps to prevent the spread of germs from your hands to your food and vice versa. Similarly, washing your hands after using the restroom helps to prevent the spread of germs from your hands to other surfaces and objects.

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8. Assuming your hands are not visibly soiled or contaminated with blood or body fluids, when should you use an alcohol-based handrub? (mark all that apply)

Before having direct contact with patients

After having direct contact with a patients skin

After having contact with body fluids or wounds or broken skin

After touching equipment or furniture near the patient

After using the restroom

An alcohol-based handrub should be used before having direct contact with patients to ensure that your hands are clean and free from any potential pathogens. It should also be used after having direct contact with a patient's skin, as this can transfer bacteria or other contaminants onto your hands. Additionally, it should be used after having contact with body fluids or wounds or broken skin, as these can also contain harmful pathogens. Finally, it should be used after touching equipment or furniture near the patient, as these surfaces can harbor bacteria. Using an alcohol-based handrub after using the restroom is also recommended to maintain hand hygiene.

Explanation

An alcohol-based handrub should be used before having direct contact with patients to ensure that your hands are clean and free from any potential pathogens. It should also be used after having direct contact with a patient's skin, as this can transfer bacteria or other contaminants onto your hands. Additionally, it should be used after having contact with body fluids or wounds or broken skin, as these can also contain harmful pathogens. Finally, it should be used after touching equipment or furniture near the patient, as these surfaces can harbor bacteria. Using an alcohol-based handrub after using the restroom is also recommended to maintain hand hygiene.

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