A nurse is observing a newly licensed nurse perform hand hygiene. Which of the following actions by the newly licensed nurse indicates an understanding of the procedure?

A. Washes their hands for 10 seconds: Hand hygiene requires scrubbing for at least 15 to 20 seconds to effectively remove microbes and debris. Ten seconds is insufficient to ensure proper cleansing and can increase the risk of pathogen transmission. B. Holds their hands below the elbows while rinsing off soap: Holding the hands below the elbows allows water and soap to flow downward, preventing contaminated water from running back onto clean areas of the arms and hands. C. Turns off the faucet with their hands: Turning off the faucet with bare hands can reintroduce microbes that were just washed off. The faucet should be turned off with a clean paper towel or elbow to maintain proper aseptic technique and prevent cross-contamination. D. Uses hot water to wash their hands: Hot water can irritate or damage the skin, leading to dryness and cracks, which increase infection risk. Warm water is recommended because it is effective for lathering soap while protecting the integrity of the skin barrier.