Final answer:
AORN's guidelines indicate that hair should remain unless it interferes with the operation, with hair removal methods varying according to the situation and the preference being for clipping over shaving to reduce infection risks.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to AORN's guidelines for skin preparation of patients, hair at the operative site is allowed to remain unless it interferes with the surgical procedure. It is not always necessary to remove hair, and when removal is indicated, it should not be removed with a depilatory or removed hours before surgery. If hair must be removed, it is generally preferred to clip it over shaving, as this reduces the risk of infection. Moreover, surgical scrubbing practices vary and should align with manufacturer recommendations and the specific antimicrobial used. The main goal is to reduce the normal microbiota on the skin's surface to prevent the introduction of these microbes into the patient's surgical wounds.