For a complete bed bath, which sequence is correct?

• A. WASH, RINSE, DRY one body part at a time; start with head & work down; complete FRONT first
• B. Start with the feet
• C. WASH, RINSE, DRY one body part at a time; start with head & work down; complete FRONT first
• D. Wash the entire body at once

Answer: (A)

The main idea tested is performing a complete bed bath in a safe, orderly way: wash, rinse, and dry one body part at a time, beginning at the head and moving downward, with the front cleaned before the back. This helps keep the resident warm and comfortable, limits exposure, and prevents cross-contamination.

Washing one part at a time means you thoroughly clean, rinse away soap, and dry before moving on, which reduces skin irritation and keeps you from recontaminating already-clean areas. Starting at the head and working down ensures the face and upper areas—most likely to get dirty or contaminated—are addressed first, while you can keep the rest of the body appropriately covered and warm as you proceed. Completing the front first allows you to turn and clean the back separately without leaving the resident exposed longer than necessary, maintaining dignity and safety throughout the procedure.

Starting with the feet or washing the entire body at once would not align with this method: feet first can drag contaminants upward, and trying to wash everything in one go makes it hard to rinse and dry thoroughly and keep the resident warm and covered.