Final answer:
An antiseptic should be left in contact with the skin for at least 20 seconds to achieve maximum effectiveness.
Step-by-step explanation:
An antiseptic should be left in contact with the skin for at least 20 seconds to achieve maximum effectiveness. This allows enough time for the antiseptic to penetrate the skin and kill any microorganisms present on the surface. One example of an antiseptic is isopropyl alcohol.