Editing Fundamentals of Nursing – LPN Flashcards (section)

== Hygiene and personal care ==

;In what order are body areas washed during a bed bath?
:From clean to dirty and from head to toe, saving the perineum for last, using a clean portion of the washcloth for each area so organisms are not spread between regions.

;In which direction is each eye washed, and why?
:From the inner canthus to the outer canthus, with a separate portion of the washcloth for each eye. This avoids carrying organisms into the lacrimal duct and prevents cross contamination between eyes.

;How is bath water temperature verified, and who is at highest risk for burns?
:Test with a bath thermometer or the inner wrist before the patient enters, using roughly 43 to 46 degrees Celsius (110 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit) and always checking the patient's own tolerance. Older adults and patients with diabetes or peripheral neuropathy have reduced thermal sensation and are at highest risk.

;What is the essential step after cleaning an uncircumcised male patient?
:Return the foreskin to its natural position. Leaving it retracted can cause paraphimosis with swelling and vascular compromise. Perineal care in female patients is performed front to back.

;How are dentures cleaned and stored safely?
:Clean over a basin lined with a washcloth or partly filled with water so a dropped denture is cushioned, use cool or lukewarm water rather than hot water, which warps them, and store in a labeled container with water or denture solution when not in the mouth.

;How is oral care performed for an unconscious patient?
:Position side lying with the head turned to the side, keep suction immediately available, use only a small amount of fluid, and use a padded tongue blade or bite block rather than your fingers. Avoid lemon glycerin swabs and alcohol based rinses, which dry the mucosa.

;What are the rules for foot care in a patient with diabetes?
:Inspect daily including the soles and between the toes, wash with lukewarm water and mild soap, dry thoroughly between the toes, apply lotion elsewhere but not between the toes, never soak the feet, never use heating pads or hot water bottles, never go barefoot, and refer calluses, corns, and thickened nails to a podiatrist.