Hand Hygiene Method — MFDS Part 1 MCQ
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Correct answer: D — Use alcohol-based handrub when hands are visibly clean; use liquid soap and water if they are visibly soiled, potentially contaminated with body fluids, or after contact with diarrhoeal illness.
Explanation lettering: E = shown as A · D = shown as B · B = shown as C · A = shown as D · C = shown as E
A is correct. NICE recommends alcohol-based handrub as the preferred method for routine hand decontamination when hands are visibly clean. Liquid soap and water must instead be used when hands are visibly soiled, potentially contaminated with blood or other body fluids, or when there is a risk of spreading organisms associated with vomiting or diarrhoeal illness. Alcohol handrub is therefore not appropriate under every circumstance, excluding B. Routine exclusive use of soap and water is unnecessary, so C is incorrect. Gloves do not replace hand hygiene: hands must be decontaminated after glove removal, excluding D. Antiseptic wipes are not the standard substitute for either handrub or proper handwashing, excluding E.
Reference: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Healthcare-associated infections: prevention and control in primary and community care (CG139), recommendations 1.1.2.1–1.1.2.5. Published 2012; updated 2017. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg139/chapter/recommendations