Which sequence correctly represents a task analysis for handwashing?

• A. Turn on faucet, wet hands, apply soap, lather, rinse, dry hands, turn off faucet.
• B. Turn on faucet, wet hands, rinse, apply soap, lather, dry hands, turn off faucet.
• C. Wet hands, turn on faucet, apply soap, lather, rinse, dry hands, turn off faucet.
• D. Turn on faucet, wet hands, lather, rinse, apply soap, dry hands, turn off faucet.

Answer: (A)

Understanding how to break down a task into the correct sequence for handwashing. The steps must follow a logical order: turn on the faucet, wet your hands, apply soap, lather, rinse, dry your hands, and then turn off the faucet. This order ensures soap is used effectively on wet hands, allows thorough scrubbing, and helps prevent recontamination by avoiding touching the faucet with wet hands after washing. Other sequences fail because they rinse before applying soap, start wetting hands without turning on the water, or lather before applying soap. The correct sequence exactly follows the practical flow of performing handwashing: turn on faucet, wet hands, apply soap, lather, rinse, dry hands, turn off faucet.