The nurse is preparing to assist with the debridement of a client's wounds. In which order should the nurse complete surgical hand antisepsis?

Question

1. Remove all jewelry
2. Wet hands with warm water.
3. Turn on water using foot pedal
4. Completely dry hands and forearms
5. Rub hands together for at least 20 sec
6. Apply 3–5 mL of antimicrobial soap to hands
7. Scrub hands and forearms up to 3 in. above elbows
8. Rinse hands and arms from finger tips to elbows

Answer 1

1, 3, 2, 6, 5, 7, 8, 4

Rationale 1: All jewelry is to be removed.

Rationale 2: The hands are wet with warm water.

Rationale 3: The water is turned on.

Rationale 4: The arms and hands are dried.

Rationale 5: The hands are scrubbed together for 20 seconds.

Rationale 6: Antimicrobial soap is placed in the hands.

Rationale 7: The forearms are scrubbed up to 3 inches above the elbows.

Rationale 8: The hands and arms are rinsed from fingers to elbows.

Global Rationale: When performing surgical hand antisepsis the nurse should first remove all jewelry, turn on the water using a foot pedal, wet the hands, apply soap, rub the hands together for 20 seconds, cleanse up to 3 inches above the elbows, rinse the hands and arm, and then dry the hands and arms.