247SimpleTests
NCLEX · Safety and Infection Control

When should a nurse perform hand hygiene according to the WHO 'Five Moments for Hand Hygiene'?

Reviewed by Jordan Morley, Editorial Lead at 247SimpleTests. Written by the 247SimpleTests Editorial Team from the official source material cited on every question.

Correct answer

Before touching a client, before a clean/aseptic procedure, after body fluid exposure risk, after touching a client, and after touching the client's surroundings

  1. A Only after touching a client
  2. B Before touching a client, before a clean/aseptic procedure, after body fluid exposure risk, after touching a client, and after touching the client's surroundings
  3. C Once at the start of each shift
  4. D Only when hands are visibly soiled

Why this is the answer

Who five moments for hand hygiene: (1) BEFORE touching a client; (2) BEFORE a clean/aseptic procedure; (3) AFTER body fluid exposure risk; (4) AFTER touching a client; (5) AFTER touching client surroundings (even without touching the client).

Hand hygiene method: Alcohol-based hand rub for routine decontamination (faster, more effective for most organisms, less drying); SOAP AND WATER when hands are visibly soiled, after using the restroom, and for spore-forming organisms (C. diff, anthrax — alcohol doesn't kill spores).

Technique: Alcohol rub — apply, rub all surfaces until dry (15-30 sec); Soap and water — wet, lather, scrub all surfaces 20+ seconds, rinse, dry, turn off faucet with towel.

Importance: Hand hygiene is the single most effective measure to prevent healthcare-associated infections; LPN role: perform hand hygiene at all five moments, use the correct method, model and promote compliance.

Source: NCLEX-PN Safe Care — WHO Five Moments Hand Hygiene

Practice more questions

This question is from our NCLEX Practice Tests practice test. Take the full practice test to test your knowledge across all Safety and Infection Control and other topics.

Take the PN: Coordinated Care practice test →

About this topic: Safety and Infection Control

Safety and infection control questions cover Standard and transmission-based precautions, hand hygiene, fall and injury prevention, restraints, fire safety and handling hazardous materials. This is one of 35 PN: Coordinated Care questions on safety and infection control, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

New to this exam? Our NCLEX exam guide explains the format, scoring, and how to prepare.

Related questions

Safety and Infection Control

Which infection control precautions are appropriate for a client with active tuberculosis (TB)?

 Safety and Infection Control

What is the correct procedure for using restraints on a client?

 Safety and Infection Control

Which is the highest priority action when a fire is discovered in a healthcare facility?

 Safety and Infection Control

What is the most important nursing intervention to prevent the spread of infection in a healthcare setting?

State-specific guides

Need information for your state? Our state guides cover local requirements, fees, and what to expect on exam day.

California Texas Florida New York Pennsylvania Illinois Ohio Georgia

Recommended study materials

Study guide

Saunders Comprehensive Review for NCLEX-RN 9th Ed. (Elsevier)

The gold standard for NCLEX-RN prep: 5,200+ practice questions, content review, test-taking strategy.

Check Price → Study guide

NCLEX-PN Prep Plus (Kaplan)

Targeted NCLEX-PN content review with hundreds of practice questions and video explanations.

Check Price → Study guide

Prioritization, Delegation & Assignment (Elsevier)

The leading resource for NCLEX questions on prioritization, delegation, and management of care.

Check Price →

As an Amazon Associate, CJ Affiliate, and AWIN publisher we earn from qualifying purchases. Links above are affiliate links. Full disclosure →