NHA Phlebotomy Certification Practice Exam

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers may be used as a substitute for handwashing:

1. only in a blood donation center.

2. only in certain patient care areas such as oncology or obstetrics and gynecology.

3. at any time.

4. when the hands are not visibly contaminated with blood or other body fluid.

The correct answer is: when the hands are not visibly contaminated with blood or other body fluid.

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are effective in reducing the number of germs on the hands, provided that the hands are not visibly dirty or contaminated with organic material. This means that they can be used in situations where there is no visible contamination, such as after a brief interaction with a patient or when moving between different tasks that are not dirty. Hand sanitizers are particularly useful in settings where handwashing stations may not be readily available or when time is of the essence. In the context of phlebotomy and other healthcare environments, it is essential to maintain good hand hygiene to prevent the spread of infections while also being mindful that alcohol does not effectively remove dirt or organic materials. In situations where there is visible contamination, traditional hand washing with soap and water would always be the recommended approach to ensure proper cleaning of the hands. Options relating to specific types of healthcare settings or suggesting limited use of sanitizers do not broadly encompass situations where alcohol-based sanitizers are appropriate, making the designated use for non-contaminated hands the most suitable and accurate response.