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What is the first step a nursing assistant should take when performing a procedure?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), proper hand hygiene is the most effective way to prevent the spread of infections in a healthcare setting. Therefore, the first step a nursing assistant should take when performing a procedure is to perform hand hygiene. This crucial action, whether through handwashing or using a hand sanitizer, protects both the patient and the healthcare worker from potential contamination.