12. Personal Care

Question 1

describes the practices to keep the body clean

Answer 1

hygiene

Question 2

practices to care for oneself, such as caring for fingernails and hair

Answer 2

grooming

Question 3

T/F - CNAs should encourage residents to perform self-care whenever they can, no matter how long it takes

Answer 3

True

Question 4

What should you do before giving any care to residents?

Answer 4

explain exactly what you’ll be doing and answer any questions they have

Question 5

T/F - Residents can be left along during bathing as long as they are sitting down

Answer 5

False - residents should never be left alone during bathing

Question 6

Name the 4 basic types of baths

Answer 6

• partial bath: cleans face, underarms, hands, and perineal area
• tub bath
• shower
• complete bed bath

Question 7

Describe who needs each of the 4 types of baths: partial, tub, shower, complete bed bath

Answer 7

• partial: someone w/ drier, fragile, or more sensitive skin or is unable to get up for a shower/tub bath
• shower: someone who can stand or sit during shower
• tub bath: able to transfer in/out of tub; has a doctors order for a special bath using an additive
• complete bed bath: unable to get out of bed and requires a full bath

Question 8

Who makes the first decision about which type of bath a resident gets?

Answer 8

the doctor or nurse

Question 9

Personal care and bathing gives CNAs the opportunity to observe what about residents?

Answer 9

skin for changes

Question 10

Water temperature when bathing a resident shouldn’t be any higher than what? How do you check the water temp?

Answer 10

105 degrees F; check with a bath thermometer or against the inside of your wrist; also have the resident check it for themselves

Question 11

What is the general rule for cleaning the body?

Answer 11

wash from cleanest to dirtiest

Question 12

List the order in which 10 body parts are washed during bathing

Answer 12

• eyes
• face
• ears
• neck
• arms, axilla, and hands
• chest and ABD
• legs and feet
• back
• perineal area
• buttocks

Question 13

What type of people may not be bathed every day?

Answer 13

people with fragile, dry skin

Question 14

Name the advantages and disadvantages of whirlpool baths

Answer 14

• pros: water movement helps clean the body, stimulate circulation, and promote wound healing
• cons: can cause a person to become dizzy or feel faint

Question 15

When are back rubs generally given to residents?

Answer 15

after bathing or prior to going to bed; also regularly to relive pain or discomfort

Question 16

What is the minimum number of times per day oral care must be performed?

Answer 16

2x per day

Question 17

substance that accumulates on the teeth from food and bacteria

Answer 17

plaque

Question 18

plaque can turn into these hard deposits if left on the teeth too long

Answer 18

tartar

Question 19

term for lacking teeth or being toothless

Answer 19

edentulous

Question 20

type of dental appliance that replaces missing teeth; may be permanent or may be removable for cleaning

Answer 20

bridge

Question 21

What should dentures be placed in when they are being stored?

Answer 21

denture solution or in clean moderate/cool water so they don’t dry out and crack

Question 22

Name 3 things that can cause the mouth to become dry

Answer 22

lack of fluids, breathing through the mouth, and oxygen therapy

Question 23

crusts that develop on lips, gums and teeth that contain microorganisms

Answer 23

sordes

Question 24

What type of residents are at a high risk of aspiration?

Answer 24

residents who are unconscious

Question 25

What part of a resident’s face can become dry when a person is unconscious? What is the reason for this?

Answer 25

the eyes due to an absent blink reflex and air around the person

Question 26

Name some benefits of grooming.

Answer 26

• has a positive effect on self-esteem, attitude, and independence
• person more likely to feel physically better

Question 27

T/F - CNAs must wear gloves when shaving residents due to risk of exposure to blood

Answer 27

True

Question 28

In what direction should you shave a resident?

Answer 28

in the direction of the hair growth

Question 29

What type of razor is the safest and easiest type to use?

Answer 29

electric razor

Question 30

How do you dispose of disposable razors and the blades of safety razors?

Answer 30

place them in a biohazard container for sharps

Question 31

T/F - you should recap a disposable razor before throwing it in a biohazard container

Answer 31

False - don’t recap it as it can cause cuts

Question 32

a small stick made of wood that helps clean under the nails

Answer 32

orangewood stick

Question 33

Why do some facilities not allow CNAs to cut residents nails?

Answer 33

if accidentally cut, residents with poor circulation can develop an infection that can lead to a severe wound or amputation

Question 34

T/F - CNAs can cut a resident’s hair if the resident requests it or if their hair is extremely matted or tangled

Answer 34

False - CNAs should never cut residents’ hair

Question 35

medical term for infestation of lice

Answer 35

pediculosis

Question 36

Signs and sxs of lice

Answer 36

• intense itching/scratching on scalp, neck, or body
• lice eggs can be seen on hair, behind ears, and on neck (brown before hatching, white after hatching)
• lice droppings may be visible on sheets/pillows; look like fine black powder

Question 37

How are lice transmitted?

Answer 37

• sharing personal items
• sexual contact
• sleeping in the same bed with someone who has lice

Question 38

T/F - if there is a lice infestation, items that cannot be washed must be thrown away

Answer 38

False - they can be put in a large plastic back that is tightly sealed for 2 weeks; then removed, cleaned, and reused

Question 39

If someone has a weaker side, which side should should be dressed and undressed first?

Answer 39

• dressed: weaker/affected side first

- undressed: stronger/unaffected side first

Question 40

When a resident has an IV in place, where should the IV bag be kept at all times when dressing them?

Answer 40

IV bag should be kept above the IV site at all times

Question 41

If someone has an IV in place, which side should be dressed and undressed first?

Answer 41

• dressed: IV side first

- undressed: remove clothing starting with side without IV