Final answer:
The nurse aide should wash hands before and after caring for each client to prevent infection and maintain a high standard of hygiene.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse aide should adopt stringent handwashing practices to ensure a high standard of hygiene and to prevent the spread of infections. Proper handwashing is essential in clinical settings, and the nurse aide should wash his or her hands before and after caring for each client, which aligns with the guidelines suggested by health organizations for health-care workers.
This procedure aids in reducing the risk of cross-contamination between clients and is part of standard infection control protocols. Handwashing should include using soap to lather and scrub all parts of the hands for at least 20 seconds, paying particular attention to commonly missed areas such as the thumbs, wrists, areas between the fingers, and under the fingernails, ideally with a nail brush for thorough cleaning. In addition, the hands should be rinsed thoroughly from the wrist down to the fingertips to remove microorganisms effectively.