Certified Ophthalmic Assistant Practice Exam

What is the correct direction for soap and water runoff during hand scrubbing?

1. Down the hands

2. Down the forearms

3. Down to the wrists

4. Down the elbows

The correct answer is: Down the elbows

During hand scrubbing, the correct direction for soap and water runoff is critical to ensure that contaminants do not migrate back onto the hands or forearms after they have been cleaned. When scrubbing hands, the soap and water should flow away from the fingers and hands, moving down the arms in a manner that helps wash away any debris or pathogens. In this context, directing the runoff down towards the elbows promotes effective hygiene, as it allows any contaminants to flow away from and not return to the areas that have already been scrubbed. This technique effectively minimizes the risk of recontaminating the freshly scrubbed surfaces. Other directions would not have the same efficacy in preventing the movement of dirt and bacteria back onto cleaned areas and could potentially counteract the benefits of thorough hand hygiene practices.