Free AAMA Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Practice Question

Wearing gloves when performing venipuncture is an example of aseptic technique as it provides a barrier between the healthcare worker's skin and potential pathogens. Disinfecting an examination table following patient use likewise is a part of aseptic technique, ensuring that pathogens are not transferred to subsequent patients. Using an alcohol-based hand rub is also a core element of medical asepsis, used to decontaminate hands when they are not visibly soiled. However, performing hand hygiene only before patient contact does not align with the principles of medical asepsis, as hand hygiene must be performed before and after contact with a patient as well as after contact with any potentially contaminated surface to reduce pathogen transmission effectively.