Final answer:
According to the AORN Guidelines, patients should be instructed to bathe or shower before surgery to reduce the presence of normal microbiota on the skin's surface and prevent the introduction of microbes into surgical wounds.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the AORN (Association of periOperative Registered Nurses) Guidelines, patients should be instructed to bathe or shower before surgery. This is done to reduce the presence of normal microbiota on the skin's surface, preventing the introduction of these microbes into a patient's surgical wounds. Handwashing is also important for health-care workers to prevent the transmission of infections.
Learn more about AORN Guidelines