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Why is unnecessary touching of surfaces near the patient avoided?
AIt slows the routine cleaning schedule for the ward
BIt shortens the useful life of the room surfaces
CIt makes gloves harder to remove without tearing
DIt moves pathogens between hands and surfaces
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. It moves pathogens between hands and surfaces
1. Surfaces close to the patient are avoided unless there is a reason to touch them.
2. The traffic runs both ways: clean hands pick up organisms from those surfaces, and contaminated hands leave organisms on them.
3. Cutting out that traffic protects the next person who touches either the surface or the patient.
4. Cleaning schedules, surface wear and glove removal are not the reason for the practice.
_Source: CDC Guideline for Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings (2007), Part III, section IV.A. Hand Hygiene_
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