Personal Hygiene
What this domain tests
Personal Hygiene tests your knowledge of hand hygiene, grooming, oral care and daily habits that stop the spread of infection in homes and health facilities. Expect sequence questions on handwashing and questions on what health workers must avoid wearing.
Core rules and concepts
- Perform hand hygiene at WHO's five moments: before touching a patient; before a clean or aseptic procedure; after body-fluid exposure; after touching a patient; after touching patient surroundings.
- Soap and water: wet hands, apply soap, rub palms, backs, between fingers, thumbs, fingertips and wrists for 40 to 60 seconds, rinse and dry with a clean towel or paper towel.
- Alcohol-based hand rub: apply to dry hands and rub for 20 to 30 seconds until dry; do not use when hands are visibly soiled.
- Keep nails short and clean. Do not wear nail polish, artificial nails, rings or wrist watches during patient care.
- Bathe daily, brush teeth twice daily, keep hair tied back, wear a clean uniform and closed footwear.
- Cover mouth and nose with a tissue or elbow when coughing or sneezing; wash hands afterwards.
- Menstrual hygiene: change the absorbent every 4 to 6 hours, wash properly and dispose of it wrapped.
Worked example. A care assistant removes a bedpan, takes off her gloves and then washes her hands. Reasoning: gloves protect her but may have tiny holes and can contaminate hands during removal, so hand hygiene is still required after glove removal. She should wash with soap and water because her hands may be soiled, dry them, and only then touch a clean surface.
Traps that cost marks
Do not wash gloved hands and continue. Do not touch the tap with clean hands; use a paper towel. Do not say hand rub is best when hands are visibly dirty. Do not ignore jewellery and long nails.