What steps are included in finishing the nail and hand care skill?

• A. Rinse, dry, and store basin; discard used items; place soiled linens in hamper; dispose of trash; store emery board and orangewood stick; leave overbed table dry; ask preferences; apply precautions; check comfort.
• B. Leave linens on the bed after the task.
• C. Skip rinsing and drying the basin to save time.
• D. Place used items back in the cabinet without cleaning.

Answer: (A)

Finishing nail and hand care focuses on clean-up, safety, and comfort after the procedure. The best finish includes rinsing and drying the basin to prevent contamination, discarding used items, and moving soiled linens to the hamper to control infection risk. It also covers disposing of trash properly and storing reusable tools (like the emery board and orangewood stick) so they’re clean and ready for next use. Keeping the overbed table dry helps prevent slips and maintains a neat, safe workspace. Asking the resident about preferences and applying any necessary safety precautions shows respect for comfort and safety. Finally, checking that the resident is comfortable ensures the care ends on a positive, client-centered note.

Leaving linens on the bed, skipping the rinse and dry, or returning used items to the cabinet without cleaning would compromise hygiene and safety and are not appropriate finishing steps.