When should handwashing be performed?

Handwashing is a critical component of infection control and is essential for maintaining hygiene in healthcare settings. The correct option emphasizes the importance of hand hygiene at multiple key moments: before and after wearing gloves, entering and exiting a room, and after soiling hands.

This practice is based on guidelines from health organizations that highlight how hands can be a vehicle for transmitting pathogens, making it vital to wash hands during these specific times to prevent the spread of infections. For example, washing hands before and after wearing gloves protects both the healthcare provider and the patient from cross-contamination. Additionally, washing hands after soiling them helps eliminate any contaminants that could lead to infection.

Performing handwashing only before meal preparation, before patient interaction, or only after using the restroom does not address the various situations in which hands may become contaminated. This can leave healthcare workers or patients vulnerable to infection and is not consistent with best practices in infection prevention and control. Therefore, the comprehensive approach listed in the correct answer ensures a higher standard of hand hygiene in healthcare environments.