Patient Hygiene and CarePN 103

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

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/

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

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

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

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

Shaving• FON pg. 456-457• http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixM10qw_wTQ&nofeather=True

• http://mcom.alexanderstreet.com/View/1744970/

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

Hand,Foot, and Nail care• Get a podiatry consult if needed• Administer care of hands and feet during the

morning bath and• as needed

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•

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

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

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

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

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

Urine testing/dipstick• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rk6n-OwQjQ• http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=TuWiy4_VDWY&list=PL93214D85984DBCDF