During hand hygiene, which areas should be scrubbed?

During hand hygiene, which areas should be scrubbed?

• A. Palms only
• B. Palms, backs of hands, between fingers
• C. Palms, backs of hands, between fingers, and under nails
• D. Palms and wrists only

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that effective hand hygiene cleans all surfaces of the hands where microbes tend to hide. You should scrub every reachable area: the palms and backs of the hands to cover the broad surfaces, the spaces between the fingers to disrupt transmission where fingers meet, and under the nails where dirt and microbes can accumulate and be spread when you touch things. This combination targets the most common places germs reside, giving the greatest reduction in microbial load. While wrists are also scrubbed in thorough technique, this option best matches the areas that need cleaning together among the choices provided.

The main idea is that effective hand hygiene cleans all surfaces of the hands where microbes tend to hide. You should scrub every reachable area: the palms and backs of the hands to cover the broad surfaces, the spaces between the fingers to disrupt transmission where fingers meet, and under the nails where dirt and microbes can accumulate and be spread when you touch things. This combination targets the most common places germs reside, giving the greatest reduction in microbial load. While wrists are also scrubbed in thorough technique, this option best matches the areas that need cleaning together among the choices provided.