With respect to hand washing procedure, identify the incorrect statement.

Appeared in: DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Explanation

The statement to use bars of soap is incorrect in the context of standard healthcare infection control practices.
Bar soaps can become contaminated with bacteria and other pathogens from previous users.
When a wet bar of soap is used, it can transfer these microorganisms to the next person's hands, defeating the purpose of handwashing.
For this reason, healthcare facilities universally recommend the use of liquid soap dispensed from a container, which minimizes the risk of cross-contamination.

Option A: This is a correct and essential step in the handwashing procedure. Wetting the hands and wrists allows the soap to lather properly and helps in the mechanical removal of dirt and microorganisms.
Option C: This is the correct and recommended method for obtaining soap in a clinical setting. Using a dispenser prevents the soap itself from becoming a vehicle for cross-contamination.
Option D: This is a correct and necessary preparatory step. Rolling up sleeves and removing jewelry (like watches and rings) ensures that all surfaces of the hands and wrists are accessible for thorough cleaning.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Medical Asepsis and Hand Hygiene as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Hand hygiene is the single most effective action to reduce healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and prevent the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
Failure to perform appropriate hand hygiene is a major contributor to patient morbidity and mortality in healthcare settings.
What if? If a patient is on contact precautions for Clostridioides difficile (C. diff), the nurse MUST use soap and water. Alcohol-based hand rubs are not effective at killing C. diff spores, so mechanical washing with friction is required.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the question type. This is a negative-lead question asking for the 'incorrect' statement.
This means you need to find the option that is NOT a recommended part of the procedure.
Recall the standard steps for clinical handwashing you have learned.
Evaluate each option against this standard protocol.
Option A (wet hands), C (use dispenser), and D (remove jewelry) are all standard, correct steps.
Option B (use bar soap) is not recommended in clinical practice due to the risk of cross-contamination. Therefore, it is the incorrect statement.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Medical Asepsis and Hand Hygiene
Stem keywords: hand washing procedure, incorrect statement
Lead-in keywords: identify, incorrect
Negative lead-in flag: This question asks for the INCORRECT statement, meaning three options are correct steps and one is not.

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 184-186

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 2 p. 248-250

Practise the full DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.