Final answer:
The best response to the client's question on the shortest amount of time for proper hand hygiene when hands are not visibly dirty is 20 seconds, as recommended by the CDC.
Step-by-step explanation:
When handwashing, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends scrubbing your hands for at least 20 seconds to effectively remove pathogens. This is especially important if your hands are not obviously dirty. A simple way to time this is to hum the "Happy Birthday" song from beginning to end twice. Proper hand hygiene is critical for preventing the spread of infections and maintaining overall health.
For general handwashing, you should start by wetting your hands with clean, running water, applying soap, and then scrubbing all areas of your hands, including the thumbs, wrist, areas between the fingers, and under the fingernails for the recommended duration. Remember to wash often, particularly after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose, to remove many of the pathogens that can survive on surfaces for several hours.