Which action completes the hand-washing procedure after drying hands?

Which action completes the hand-washing procedure after drying hands?

• A. Turn off faucet with dirty paper towel
• B. Leave water on and dry
• C. Discard paper towel and use clean one to turn faucet off
• D. Rinse again

Answer: (C)

Preventing recontamination after washing is the key idea. After hands are washed and dried, using a barrier to turn off the faucet keeps clean hands from contacting a potentially contaminated surface. Discard the towel you used to dry and use a fresh, clean towel to turn off the faucet, then dispose of it. This minimizes the chance that microbes from the faucet or a used towel transfer back to your hands. Leaving the faucet running or turning it off with a dirty towel would risk recontamination, and rinsing again isn’t part of the standard sequence.

Preventing recontamination after washing is the key idea. After hands are washed and dried, using a barrier to turn off the faucet keeps clean hands from contacting a potentially contaminated surface. Discard the towel you used to dry and use a fresh, clean towel to turn off the faucet, then dispose of it. This minimizes the chance that microbes from the faucet or a used towel transfer back to your hands. Leaving the faucet running or turning it off with a dirty towel would risk recontamination, and rinsing again isn’t part of the standard sequence.