NHA Phlebotomy Certification Practice Exam

When should hand hygiene be performed?

1. Only after eating

2. Only after using the restroom

3. When gloves are visibly soiled

4. Before and after patient contact, and after removing gloves

The correct answer is: Before and after patient contact, and after removing gloves

Hand hygiene is a critical aspect of infection control within healthcare settings. It should be performed before and after patient contact to reduce the risk of transmitting pathogens to patients and between different patients. Additionally, hand hygiene should be carried out after removing gloves, as gloves can become contaminated during procedures. This practice ensures that any microbes that may have been present on the gloves do not come into contact with the healthcare worker's hands or other surfaces. Performing hand hygiene only after eating or after using the restroom, as indicated in the other choices, does not provide a comprehensive approach to maintaining cleanliness and preventing the spread of infections during healthcare activities. While those moments are certainly important for handwashing, the continual practice of hand hygiene before and after all forms of patient interaction and after glove removal is critical to ensure the safety of both patients and healthcare providers.