Hand washing should be performed in which of the following situations?

Hand washing is a critical practice in maintaining hygiene and preventing the spread of infections, especially in settings where direct support professionals work with individuals who may have compromised immune systems or other health concerns. The correct option highlights the importance of washing hands before putting on gloves and after removing them. This is essential because gloves are not a substitute for hand hygiene; they can carry pathogens on their surfaces just like hands can.

Before donning gloves, washing hands ensures that no contaminants are transferred to the gloves, protecting both the professional and the clients. After gloves are removed, hand washing is necessary to eliminate any germs that might have been on the surface of the gloves or transferred during the process of removal. This practice aligns with standard infection control protocols, which are fundamental in creating a safe environment for all individuals involved.

The other options, while touch upon situations where hand washing might be important, do not cover the critical context of glove use and the prevention of germ transmission as effectively as the correct answer does. This emphasizes the significance of proper hand hygiene in various situations beyond just food preparation or requests from clients.