PERSONAL HYGIENE CHAPTER 29

PERSONAL HYGIENE Personal hygiene promotes comfort, safety and health. It involves activities that clean the skin, teeth, mouth and peri-neal area. Some clients only need minimal assistance, some will need full assistance with hygiene Culture and personal choice also affect hygiene. Most people have hygiene routines and habits. Remember, clients may feel frustrated, angry and embarrassed because they need help with personal care. Always promote DIPPS

PERSONAL HYGIENE Daily care may include: AM care (early morning care) Afternoon care HS care

PERSONAL HYGIENE ORAL HYGIENE Oral hygiene keeps the mouth and teeth clean. This prevents mouth odours and infections. It also increases comfort and make food taste better. EQUIPMENT Toothbrush Toothpaste Dental Floss Mouthwash Bite guard

PERSONAL HYGIENE OBSERVATIONS Dry, cracked, swollen or blistered lips Redness, swelling, irritation, sores or white patches in the mouth or on the tongue Bleeding, swelling or redness of the gums Loose teeth Rough, sharp or chipped dentures C/o pain or discomfort PSW’s may have to perform the following: Brushing the teeth Flossing Mouth care for the unconscious client Denture care

PERSONAL HYGIENE BATHING Bathing cleans the skin, mucous membranes and perineal areas. A bath can also be refreshing and relaxing and promotes circulation. A bath can give you time to get to know your client. Baths can be complete, partial, shower or tub. The method used depends on the person’s condition, self-care abilities, care plan, and personal choice.

PERSONAL HYGIENE OBSERVATIONS The colour of the skin, lips, nail beds, and sclera Rashes Dry skin Bruises/open skin Pale or reddened areas Draining or bleeding Swelling Corns/calluses Skin temp C/o pain or discomfort

PERSONAL HYGIENE BATHING PROBLEMS Client refuses a bath Client has dementia Client cannot tolerate the bathing position Client urinates or has a BM Hardened secretions or stool on the clients body Client has an erection

PERSONAL HYGIENE PERICARE Involves cleaning the genital an anal areas. Cleaning prevents infection and odours as well as promoting comfort. OBSERVATIONS Odours Redness/swelling/discharge or irritation C/o pain, burning or other discomfort Signs of urinary or fecal incontinence

COMPLETE BED BATH Gather all supplies Gloves Bath blanket Bath Basin K basin Soap 2 wash cloths 2 towels Lotion Deodorant Toothbrush/paste Hairbrush/comb Clean clothes

COMPLETE BED BATH Ensure privacy (close doors/drapes) Introduce yourself and explain the procedure Raise the bed/ensure brakes are on and bed is flat Move the resident to the side of the bed near you Cover resident with a bath blanket & remove clothing Drape a towel across the resident’s chest Ensure proper water temp Make a bath mitt Wash eyes (no soap, inner corner to outer corner) Wash face/ears/neck Rinse/pat dry

COMPLETE BED BATH Place towel along the resident’s arm farthest from you Wash hand/arm/shoulder/axilla using long firm strokes, rinse and pat dry (perform ROM and observe the skin) Repeat for arm closest to you Place towel across resident’s chest and pull down bath blanket to the waist Wash chest/abd/under the breasts, dry thoroughly (observe the skin and try not to expose the resident) Cover resident with bath blanket Expose and place a towel along the leg farthest from you Wash leg with long firm upward strokes, rinse, pat dry Repeat for leg closest to you (observe and ROM)

COMPLETE BED BATH Turn resident on their side facing away from you Expose and place towel along the back and buttocks Wash the back/buttocks with long, firm strokes. Rinse/pat dry Give back massage if time permits…….which it won’t Place resident on their back and cover with bath blanket CHANGE WATER/GLOVES PERICARE Have resident flex their knees FEMALE – separate labia, wipe downward with one stroke, repeat until clean, using a different part of the washcloth for each stroke, rinse, dry

COMPLETE BED BATH MALE – retract foreskin if uncircumcised Grasp penis and clean the tip using a circular motion from urethra outwards, rinse, pat dry and return foreskin to its natural position Clean the shaft of the penis using downwards strokes, rinse, dry Turn resident onto their back Separate buttocks and clean rectal area from front to back, rinse, dry