Question

The nurse applies an alcohol-based hand rub upon entering the client's room. The client becomes upset stating, "You did not wash your hands!" Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?

1) Alcohol-based hand rub provides the greatest reduction in microbial counts on the skin.
2) We only wash our hands when they are visibly soiled.
3) Washing the hands with soap and water is not necessary.
4) I won't be touching you, so using the alcohol hand rub is the quickest method to perform hand hygiene.

Answer 1

The nurse should inform the client that an alcohol-based hand rub provides the greatest reduction in microbial counts and is an effective alternative when hands are not visibly soiled, consistent with CDC guidelines.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most appropriate response by the nurse is: "Alcohol-based hand rub provides the greatest reduction in microbial counts on the skin." This method is recommended when hands are not visibly soiled and provides a significant reduction in microbes. The nurse should explain to the client that using an alcohol-based hand rub is an effective form of hand hygiene and is often preferred in clinical settings to reduce microbial counts on the skin rapidly.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that in situations where hands are not visibly dirty, an alcohol-based hand rub can be used to degerm the hands effectively. This is especially critical in healthcare settings to prevent the spread of pathogens between patients and healthcare workers. It's also important to educate clients on the efficacy and appropriateness of using alcohol-based hand rubs versus handwashing with soap and water where necessary.