Personal Care Skill: Hygiene Stephanie Oliver, DNP, RN

Personal Hygiene Usually includes the bath, back care, perineal care, oral hygiene, hair care, nail care, and shaving when necessary Must be sensitive to the patient’s needs and respect the patient’s rights to privacy while personal care is administered Reasons for providing personal hygiene

Administering Personal Hygiene Types of baths (bed bath, partial bath) Oral hygiene Hair Care Gowning

Foot care Inspection Client’s at risk Wash and apply lotion DO NOT TRIM OR CUT FINGERNAILS OR TOENAILS

Shaving Check medications or client history for anticoagulants or bleeding Shave in direction of hair growth Use warm washcloth and shaving cream

Back Rubs Follows bath Client preference Promotes relaxation Relieves muscle tension Stimulates circulation

Summary Providing personal hygiene is an important part of patient care Observe standard precautions at all times Make careful observations during the procedures, and report any abnormal conditions noted (cyanosis, jaundice, erythema, etc.)