Wisconsin CNA State Exam Vocabulary Practice

What is the action of washing hands with plain or antiseptic soap and water?

1. Hand scrubbing

2. Hand rubbing

3. Skin cleansing

4. Hand washing

The correct answer is: Hand washing

The action of washing hands with plain or antiseptic soap and water is commonly referred to as hand washing. This practice is essential in preventing the spread of infections and maintaining hygiene. Hand washing involves several steps, including wetting the hands, applying soap, lathering, scrubbing for at least 20 seconds, rinsing thoroughly, and drying. While the terms hand scrubbing and hand rubbing may suggest actions related to cleaning, they do not specifically define the entire process of using soap and water to cleanse the hands. Skin cleansing is a broader term that can refer to various methods of cleaning skin beyond just hands and may not necessarily involve soap and water. Therefore, hand washing clearly identifies the hygienic action of using soap and water to clean the hands, making it the most accurate choice.