Arkansas Long Term Care Administrator Practice Exam

Which of the following is a prohibited practice in infection control?

1. Using individual towels for hand drying

2. Common bath and hand soap usage

3. Regular cleaning of surfaces

4. Providing disinfectant for shared spaces

The correct answer is: Common bath and hand soap usage

The correct choice highlights a prohibited practice related to infection control. The use of common bath and hand soap can lead to cross-contamination and the spread of infections among individuals, particularly in healthcare settings where vulnerable populations are present. Individualized hygiene products, such as personal hand soaps and sanitizers, help to minimize the risk of infection transmission by ensuring that each person uses their own supplies, reducing the potential for spreading pathogens. On the other hand, employing individual towels for hand drying, regularly cleaning surfaces, and providing disinfectant for shared spaces are all appropriate and recommended practices that enhance infection control efforts. Individual towels help prevent the transfer of germs, regular cleaning reduces the presence of contagious organisms on surfaces, and disinfectants increase sanitation in areas where multiple individuals gather. Hence, while the other options support infection control measures, the use of common soap undermines these efforts, making it a prohibited practice.