Final answer:
The statement concerning patients being able to shower with soap and water when there is no exposed bone is true. It's important to follow proper procedures for personal hygiene to avoid infections, with special guidelines for wounds or after surgical procedures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement about patients showering with soap and water if there is no exposed bone is true. When there are no open wounds such as exposed bones, patients can and should maintain personal hygiene, including showering, to prevent infections. Showering with soap and water helps to remove dirt, sweat, and potentially harmful microorganisms from the skin. Soap is crucial in this process as it aids in breaking down oils and fats on the skin's surface that may harbor bacteria or other pathogens. However, if there is an exposed bone or open wound, it is important to follow medical advice pertaining to wound care and bathing, which may require keeping the wound dry or using specific cleaning protocols to avoid complications.
It is essential for everyone, including patients, to follow handwashing recommendations outlined by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), such as wetting hands with clean running water, applying soap, and rubbing hands together for at least 20 seconds. For health-care workers, or in situations involving surgery, proper handwashing is even more critical to prevent the spread of infection, and surgical scrubbing procedures are more extensive.