Safety and Infection ControlQuestion 1155 of 2368
The nurse is giving perineal hygiene during the second stage. Which technique reduces the risk of infection?
- Clean from the pubic hair line to the anus using a separate area of the washcloth for each stroke
- Clean from the anus toward the pubic hair line with one area of the washcloth
- Clean in circles starting at the anus and moving forward
- Clean once and reuse the same washcloth for rinsing
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Correct answer: Clean from the pubic hair line to the anus using a separate area of the washcloth for each stroke
Front-to-back strokes with a clean area each time prevent carrying bacteria from the rectum to the vagina.
Source: Nursing Health Promotion (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2025), Labor & Delivery Care: PROVIDING PERINEAL HYGIENE. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Practice the topic "Safety and Infection Control"Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026