Which of the following steps should be done first during a subcutaneous injection?

In a subcutaneous injection, the first step should always involve ensuring proper hygiene, which includes washing hands and putting on gloves. This step is crucial because it helps to reduce the risk of introducing pathogens into the injection site, thereby preventing infections.

Proper hand hygiene is a fundamental principle in any medical procedure. It ensures that the healthcare provider is using a clean and safe technique, which is especially important when performing invasive procedures such as injections. Even though the other steps are also important and follow in sequence, they all rely on the assumption that the provider has started with clean and gloved hands. Without this initial step, the integrity of subsequent actions could be compromised, leading to potential harm or complications for the patient.