Final answer:
In a clinical setting, a nursing instructor should intervene if a student nurse has manicured nails that are 1-in. (2.5-cm) long, as this is not compliant with healthcare hand hygiene standards. Furthermore, washing hands for only 15 seconds is insufficient according to CDC guidelines, which recommend at least 20 seconds.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a student nurse is performing hand washing in a clinical setting and is observed with manicured nails that are 1-in. (2.5-cm) long, the nursing instructor should intervene. This practice is not compliant with the standards of hand hygiene in healthcare. Long nails can harbor bacteria and make it more difficult to clean hands thoroughly. According to the CDC, all healthcare workers should have short nails that do not extend past the fingertips to minimize the risk of transmitting pathogens.
Proper hand hygiene is vital for the prevention of infection, particularly in the clinical environment where the spread of germs is a significant concern. Healthcare workers are advised to perform hand hygiene regularly, which involves not only the length of handwashing but also the technique and attention to detail, such as cleaning under the nails and ensuring all surfaces of the hands and fingers are thoroughly cleaned.
In the case provided, a student nurse washing hands for 15 seconds is also a practice that should be corrected. The appropriate duration for handwashing, as recommended by the CDC, is at least 20 seconds to ensure that the hands are adequately cleaned and the spread of pathogens is minimized.