CNA Proper Hand Hygiene and PPE Usage — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How long should a CNA scrub their hands with soap and water during proper handwashing?
- 5 seconds
- At least 20 seconds (Correct answer)
- 1 minute
- 10 seconds is sufficient if soap is used
Correct answer: At least 20 seconds
The CDC recommends scrubbing all surfaces of the hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds—approximately the time it takes to hum the 'Happy Birthday' song twice. This duration ensures adequate mechanical removal of microorganisms.
Question 2: When should gloves be changed during patient care?
- Only between caring for different patients
- Once per shift regardless of what tasks were performed
- Between tasks on the same patient when moving from contaminated to clean areas, and between patients (Correct answer)
- Only when gloves are visibly soiled or torn
Correct answer: Between tasks on the same patient when moving from contaminated to clean areas, and between patients
Gloves must be changed between tasks on the same patient when moving from a contaminated body site to a clean body site (e.g., from perineal care to wound care), when gloves are torn, and between caring for different patients. Hand hygiene is performed each time gloves are changed.
Question 3: Which type of glove is recommended for routine patient care when there is no known latex allergy concern?
- Sterile surgical gloves
- Heavy-duty rubber utility gloves
- Non-sterile disposable examination gloves (nitrile or latex) (Correct answer)
- Fabric cotton gloves
Correct answer: Non-sterile disposable examination gloves (nitrile or latex)
Non-sterile disposable examination gloves (either nitrile or latex) are appropriate for most routine patient care activities. Sterile gloves are reserved for procedures requiring surgical asepsis. Nitrile gloves are increasingly preferred due to the prevalence of latex allergies.
Question 4: When is an N95 respirator required instead of a standard surgical mask?
- For all patient contact regardless of isolation status
- When the surgical mask is out of stock
- When caring for residents on airborne precautions, such as active tuberculosis (Correct answer)
- When a resident is on droplet precautions only
Correct answer: When caring for residents on airborne precautions, such as active tuberculosis
An N95 respirator is required for airborne precautions—when caring for residents with airborne diseases such as tuberculosis, measles, or chickenpox. N95 respirators filter at least 95% of airborne particles and must be fit-tested for each wearer.
Question 5: Why should a CNA avoid touching their face while wearing gloves during patient care?
- Gloves are fragile and may tear when touching the face
- It is only a concern if the gloves are wet
- Pathogens on the gloves can enter the body through mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, and mouth (Correct answer)
- There is no specific reason; it is simply a habit
Correct answer: Pathogens on the gloves can enter the body through mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, and mouth
Touching the face with gloved hands can transfer pathogens from the gloves to mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, and mouth, which are entry points for infection. Maintaining awareness of hand position is a key infection prevention habit.
Question 6: After completing care in a resident's room, in what order should a CNA remove PPE?
- Mask, gown, gloves, then hand hygiene
- Gown, gloves, mask, then hand hygiene
- Gloves, gown, face protection, mask, then hand hygiene (Correct answer)
- Any order is safe as long as hand hygiene is performed at the end
Correct answer: Gloves, gown, face protection, mask, then hand hygiene
The recommended order for PPE removal is: gloves, gown, goggles/face shield (if worn), mask/respirator, then hand hygiene. This sequence minimizes self-contamination by removing the most contaminated items first while protecting mucous membranes.
CNA Proper Hand Hygiene and PPE Usage
How long should a CNA scrub their hands with soap and water during proper handwashing?