Surgical Tech Practice Exam

During a counted surgical hand scrub, how many strokes are required on the fingernails?

1. 15

2. 30

3. 10

4. 5

The correct answer is: 30

The correct answer is based on the standard practice guidelines for surgical hand scrubs, which emphasize the importance of thorough cleansing to reduce the risk of surgical site infections. During this procedure, the recommendation is to perform 30 strokes on the fingernails. This specific number is intended to ensure that all surfaces of the nails, which can harbor bacteria, are properly cleaned. The procedure often includes a careful approach to scrubbing each nail, followed by the use of a nail cleaning tool to effectively remove any debris. The focus on 30 strokes helps to maximize the reduction of microbial load before donning sterile gloves, which is crucial in maintaining aseptic technique in the operating room environment.