A nurse at a long-term care facility is part of a risk management team that is creating a plan to lower infection rates in the facility. Which of the following instructions regarding hand hygiene should the nurse include?

A. Drying hands thoroughly from fingers to wrist is correct. Proper drying technique is important because residual moisture can harbor bacteria, and drying from fingers to wrist prevents recontamination of clean areas by water dripping from contaminated areas. B. Holding hands slightly higher than the elbows when using running water is incorrect. The proper technique is to hold hands lower than the elbows to allow water to flow downward, preventing recontamination of clean areas by dirty water. C. Washing hands under running water for at least 10 seconds is incorrect. The recommended duration for effective handwashing is at least 20 seconds with soap and water to ensure the removal of pathogens. D. Cleaning hands with alcohol-based hand gel for 16 seconds is incorrect. The recommended time for using alcohol-based hand rubs is at least 20 seconds, ensuring thorough coverage of all surfaces for effective pathogen removal.