Which action prevents recontamination after hand washing?

• A. Dry with paper towels, being sure not to touch clean hands on other surfaces.
• B. Rinse again
• C. Wipe with cloth towel
• D. Air dry

Answer: (A)

Drying with disposable paper towels and using them to turn off the faucet prevents recontamination by keeping clean hands from touching dirty surfaces. Paper towels are clean, single-use, and help remove remaining moisture and microbes without transferring them to other surfaces. Rinsing again doesn’t address contamination after washing; a cloth towel can harbor germs and recontaminate hands, and air drying leaves hands exposed to contact with air and surfaces or takes longer to dry. Using paper towels is the safest, most effective way to finish hand hygiene and maintain clean hands.