Which of the following techniques is essential for proper hand hygiene in nursing?

Scrubbing hands for at least 20 seconds with soap is essential for proper hand hygiene in nursing because it effectively removes dirt, pathogens, and organic matter. The mechanical action of scrubbing plays a critical role in dislodging microorganisms from the skin's surface, and combined with the action of soap, which helps to break down oils and debris, this technique significantly reduces the risk of infection transmission.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes that thorough handwashing with soap and water is the preferred method for hand hygiene in most situations, particularly when hands are visibly dirty or after specific activities like using the restroom or preparing food. The 20-second duration is crucial as it allows adequate time to clean all parts of the hands, including hard-to-reach areas such as between the fingers and under the nails.

While hand sanitizers can be useful for decontaminating hands when soap and water are not available, they do not eliminate all types of germs and are less effective when hands are visibly soiled. Additionally, while wearing gloves is important when handling potentially infectious materials, it does not replace the need for proper hand hygiene before and after patient contact. Finally, restricting handwashing to after handling hazardous materials fails to recognize that hand hygiene is an