During hand hygiene, which step comes after lathering for 15 seconds?

• A. Rinse all surfaces, keeping hands lower than the elbows.
• B. Dry hands with the same used towel.
• C. Rinse all surfaces, keeping hands lower than the elbows and the fingertips down.
• D. Turn off faucet with wet hands.

Answer: (C)

After lathering for at least 15 seconds, the next step is to rinse all surfaces of the hands while keeping the hands lower than the elbows and the fingertips pointing downward. This position uses gravity to direct water away from the clean areas and toward the sink, helping prevent contaminated water from running back onto the hands.

The other options fall short because one lacks the precise fingertip-down direction, which is important for proper drainage; another uses the same towel to dry, which risks transferring germs; and the last suggests turning off the faucet with wet hands, which can recontaminate the hands.