When scrubbing, how many sides must be cleaned on the fingers, hands, and arms?

When preparing for a surgical procedure, proper hand scrubbing is critical for maintaining a sterile environment. The practice generally dictates that all sides of the fingers, hands, and arms be thoroughly cleaned to ensure complete decontamination.

In this context, the correct answer indicates that four surfaces need to be scrubbed: the palmar and dorsal sides of the fingers, the palms and backs of the hands, and the forearms. This four-sided cleaning process helps to eliminate any microorganisms present on the skin, significantly reducing the risk of surgical site infections.

Hand scrubbing typically involves utilizing a surgical scrub solution and following a specific technique to ensure comprehensive coverage. Neglecting any of these surfaces could potentially leave areas that contain pathogens, which is why attention to all four sides is essential in surgical practice.