Handwashing with soap and water is an example of medical asepsis because it reduces the number of microorganisms and prevents their spread, but does not eliminate all pathogens completely. It is a key technique to maintain a clean environment and minimize infection risk during routine care. In contrast, wearing a sterile gown, using a sterile drape, and sterilizing instruments are practices of surgical asepsis, aiming to create and maintain a completely sterile field. Therefore, handwashing exemplifies the principle of clean technique (medical asepsis), which focuses on reducing contamination rather than achieving total sterility.
Reference: Medical-Surgical Nursing, Ignatavicius & Workman, 9th Edition.