Texas Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Practice Exam

Hand sanitizer should be used when soap and water are not available because it provides a convenient alternative for reducing the number of germs on your hands. Hand sanitizers, especially those that contain at least 60% alcohol, can effectively kill many types of germs and pathogens present on the skin.

While it is always preferred to wash hands with soap and water, especially after certain activities like using the restroom or before handling food, using hand sanitizer becomes a critical option when those resources are inaccessible. This helps maintain hygiene and prevent the spread of infections in situations where traditional handwashing is not feasible.

In contrast, the other scenarios do not provide the same level of urgency or necessity for using hand sanitizer as a substitute for handwashing. For instance, handwashing is strongly encouraged after using the restroom or before food preparation to ensure the highest level of cleanliness. Using hand sanitizer during cold and flu season is beneficial for additional protection but does not replace the foundational necessity of handwashing.