Patient Hygiene and Care

1. Patient Hygiene and Care PN 103

2. Oral Care • Helps to maintain a healthy state of the mouth, teeth, gums and lips • Brushing the teeth removes food particles, plaque and bacteria -massages the gums -relieves discomfort from unpleasant odors and tastes -can stimulate the appetite -prevent oral disease such as gingivitis, periodontitis, and tooth destruction

3. Oral Care • Have the patient brush their teeth whenever possible • If the patient is unable to do so the nurse/CAN will need to do it for them -see FON pgs. 453-454 • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVsMmppYXrI • http://mcom.alexanderstreet.com/View/1665498/

4. Oral Care • Dentures • -are a patient’s personal property • -labeled denture cup with their name to store them when not • being worn (at night, during surgery/diagnostic procedures • -need to be handled with care • -easily broken • -reinsert after surgery/procedures to prevent patient • embarrassment • -cleaning • -patient can either do it themselves or soak overnight with • water and cleanser

5. Oral Care • Cleaning is usually twice a day, in the morning and a bedtime • May be required more frequently secondary to the patient’s condition • Comatose patients require oral care every 2 hours • - moistened toothette to the teeth and gums and lubricant to • lips • Repeated cleaning is often needed • to remove tenacious, dried exudate • of the tongue and to restore the • mucousa’s hydration to normal

6. Hair care • Combing, brushing and shampooing are basic measures needed by all patients -important to the patient’s self image • A bedfast patient’s hair soon becomes tangled • Preform hair care at least daily if the patient is unable • Shampooing • -patient should be able to do this if allowed to shower/bathe • -may need a shower chair or a chair in front of the sink

7. Hair care • Shampooing • -if a patient is bedbound will need a bed shampoo • -check the facilities policy to see if an MD order is required • -shampoo boards • -FON pgs. 455-457

8. Shaving • FON pg. 456-457 • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixM10qw_wTQ&nofeather=True • http://mcom.alexanderstreet.com/View/1744970/

9. Hand,Foot, and Nail care • Prevents infection, odors and injury • Problems arise from abuse or poor care • -nail biting or wearing ill fitting shoes • Assessment • -all skin surfaces • -area between the toes • -circulation of the feet, especially if diabetic or peripheral • vascular disease • Elderly are at increase risk secondary to poor vision and decreased mobility

10. Hand,Foot, and Nail care • Get a podiatry consult if needed • Administer care of hands and feet during the morning bath and • as needed

11. Eye care and hygiene • Eye care is usually done with the bath • -washing with a clean washcloth moistened with clear water • - do not use soap secondary to burning • Clean eye from inner to the outer canthus • -use a separate section of the washcloth each time to prevent • spread of infection • - if there is dried exudate that is difficult to remove • -place a damp cotton ball or gauze on the lid to loosen the • secretions • - never apply direct pressure to the eyeball secondary to causing • serious injury

12. Eye care and hygiene • Unconscious patient • -needs frequent eye care secondary to lack of blink reflex • - increased retention of secretions in along the margins of the • lid and inner canthus • Glasses • - store in a case and place them in the bedside drawer when • not in use • - clean daily with warm water and dry with a soft cloth

13. Eye care and hygiene • Contact lenses removal and care • FON Box 18-8, pg. 461 • -Remove lenses until the patient is able to care for them. • Warm moist eye compresses • FON SG pgs. 467-486

14. Perineal Care • Who needs perineal care? • - integral part of showering/bathing • - patients with indwelling catheters • - patients recovering from rectal or genital surgury • - postpartum patients • - incontinent patients • Allow the patient to preform his/her own perineal care is able • Assist the patient who is unable and maintain a professional, • Compassionate attitude to diminish the patient’s embarrassment

15. Perineal Care • Catheter care • -preformed twice a day unless otherwise ordered • -cleaning the meatal-catheter junction with a mild soap and • water and sometimes application of a water soluble microbicidal ointment (Betadine or Neosporin) • FON SG pgs. 425-428, 433 • http://mcom.alexanderstreet.com/View/1665507/play/true

16. Anti-embolism stockings • http://mcom.alexanderstreet.com/View/1665507/

17. Urine testing/dipstick • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rk6n-OwQjQ • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuWiy4_VDWY&list=PL93214D85984DBCDF