Nursing Skills: Washing Your Hands

Lesson Overview
Media: Video (5 min.)
Seat Time: 2 Classes | 100 minutes teaching

Goal:
To prepare students for the demonstration portion of the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) exam.
Description:
A certified nursing assistant, or CNA, works under the supervision of a Registered Nurse, or RN, to
meet the health care needs of patients. This presentation examines and emphasizes the need for
hand washing as an infection control measure. Additionally, the presentation demonstrates proper
handwashing procedures.
Objectives:
1. To discuss the importance of hand washing as a measure of infection control.
2. To demonstrate the proper procedure to use when washing hands.

Lesson Plan
Class 1
Class Overview:
 Introduction Video Segment
 Demonstration Video Segment
 Action Plan
 Steps: Washing Your Hands Student Handout
 Indirect Care Techniques Student Handout
 Skill Demonstration Project
Essential Questions:
1. Why is handwashing important?
2. What is the proper procedure for washing your hands?
Bell Ringer:
 Ask students the essential question, “why is handwashing important” and discuss
potential answers to the question and write them down for future use.
Step 2: Distribute or have students access the Action Plan.
 The Action Plan lays out a list of tasks for students to complete during the
lesson.
Step 3: Show the Introduction video segment.
 This video is three minutes long.
 After showing this segment, have students reevaluate the answers to the
essential question of “why is handwashing important”.
Step 4: Have students access the Steps: Washing Your Hands Student Handout.
 This handout explains the steps which are necessary to successfully complete
the skill during the CNA examination.
 Students should utilize this handout while watching the video to see how and
when each step should occur in the process of completing the skill.
Step 5: Have students review the Indirect Care Techniques Student Handout.
 This handout explains the importance of indirect care techniques in health care
professions.
 Students should utilize this handout while watching the video and preparing for
the CNA exam. 1
 Nursing Skills: Washing Your Hands
Lesson Plan
Class 1 (continued)
Step 6: Show the Demonstration video segment.
 This video is two minutes long.
 After viewing this segment, have students answer the essential question “what
is the proper procedure for washing your hands”.
Step 7: Have students begin the Skill Demonstration Project.
 In this project, students will practice demonstrating the skill. Supplies will be
needed to complete the demonstration and are listed in the description and on
the project sheet. Once students feel able, they will demonstrate the skill to a
peer for a peer evaluation. In this class, students should practice the skill alone
to prepare for peer evaluation.
Exit Ticket
 On a sheet of paper, have students answer the question “why is using the proper
handwashing procedure necessary” and hand in their answers as they leave the class.

Class 2
Class Overview:
 Steps: Washing Your Hands Student Handout
 Check for Understanding
 Skill Demonstration Project (see description for Supplies List)
Essential Questions:
1. Why is handwashing important?
2. What is the proper procedure for washing your hands?
Bell Ringer:
 Have students review the concepts covered in the lesson by reviewing the answers to
the essential questions as well as the Steps: Washing Your Hands Student Handout.
Step 2: Administer the Check for Understanding.
 The Check for Understanding is a short, 5-question review of the content
presented in the lesson. Remember the Check for Understanding can be
completed interactively by students, if student licenses have been
implemented.
Step 3: Have students finish the Skill Demonstration Project.
 Students should partner with a peer and demonstrate the skill.
 Each student will fill out a Peer Evaluation form while evaluating their partner
demonstrate the skill.
Exit Ticket
 Students should turn in the Peer Evaluation Form located on the Skill Demonstration
Project prior to leaving the class.

2
 Nursing Skills: Washing Your Hands
Project
Skill Demonstration
Students will demonstrate, to a peer, the proper technique to successfully wash their hands based
upon the steps required to complete the skill. Before demonstrating to a peer, students should
practice the skill. Supplies are required to complete the skill, see list below.

Supplies List:
 Water
 Soap
 Paper towels
 Watch or clock to time

Accommodations: The student should practice all steps independently and then do a practice run
with his or her peer evaluator. The evaluator can give tips/suggestions before being given the
opportunity to complete the process once more for his or her peer.

Extensions: After practicing and being evaluated, the student could attempt to complete all steps
without the use of the instruction sheet. It should be noted, the student will not have access to the
steps while completing the CNA examination.

Career & Technical Student Organizations

Skills USA
 Practical Nursing