Question

An experienced nurse is teaching a student nurse the proper use of hand hygiene. Which of the following is an accurate guideline that should be discussed?

A) The use of gloves eliminates the need for hand hygiene.
B) The use of hand hygiene eliminates the need for gloves.
C) Hand hygiene must be performed after contact with inanimate objects near the client.
D) Hand lotions should not be used after hand hygiene.

Answer 1

The accurate guideline for proper hand hygiene is that it must be done after contact with inanimate objects near the client, not eliminating the use of gloves, but complementing them, and hand lotions may be used if compatible.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct guideline that should be discussed when teaching proper hand hygiene is C) Hand hygiene must be performed after contact with inanimate objects near the client. Handwashing is a critical component of maintaining proper hygiene, especially for health-care workers. It is crucial to wash hands thoroughly between every patient contact, after the removal of gloves, after contact with bodily fluids and potentially infectious objects, and before and after certain medical procedures. The use of gloves does not eliminate the need for hand hygiene as gloves can become contaminated, and hence hand hygiene is needed after glove removal. Furthermore, using hand lotion after hand hygiene can be beneficial to prevent skin dryness, provided the lotion is compatible with the hand hygiene product and the healthcare facility's policies.