When should you not perform hand hygiene with soap and water?

• A. When hands are visibly dirty.
• B. After removing gloves in non-contaminated tasks.
• C. Before entering a resident's room.
• D. After touching a contaminated surface.

Answer: (B)

Hand hygiene choices depend on how clean the hands are and what task is being done. If hands are not visibly dirty, an alcohol-based hand rub is the quickest and preferred way to decontaminate after removing gloves. Soap and water is reserved for hands that are visibly dirty or contaminated with materials, or when dealing with spores like C. difficile, where soap and water is more effective. In the case of removing gloves during a non-contaminated task, you should not use soap and water; use an alcohol-based hand rub to clean your hands. You would use soap and water only if your hands are visibly dirty or there’s a reason to believe they’re contaminated.