NHA Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)Foundational Knowledge and Basic ScienceEasy
A medical assistant is educating a patient about the importance of hand hygiene. According to the CDC, what is the minimum duration a medical assistant should rub their hands with soap and water during handwashing?
- A30 seconds
- B10 seconds
- C20 seconds
- D5 seconds
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. 20 seconds
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends scrubbing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to effectively remove germs and prevent the spread of infection.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. 30 seconds is excellent, but 20 seconds is the minimum standard.
- B. 10 seconds is better than 5, but still falls short of the recommended duration.
- D. 5 seconds is insufficient for effective germ removal.
CDC Handwashing Guidelines
The CDC provides specific recommendations for hand hygiene, including the duration of handwashing, to prevent healthcare-associated infections.
- Wet hands with clean, running water and apply soap.
- Lather hands by rubbing them together with the soap.
- Scrub all surfaces of hands for at least 20 seconds.
- Rinse hands thoroughly under clean, running water.
Memory trick: Clean Hands Conquer Contagion Clearly.