Basic Patient Care Flashcards
Why is patient hygiene important?
Cleanliness is extremely important for patient’s physical and emotional wellbeing. Frequent attention to cleanliness provides many opportunities for therapeutic communication and helps mitigate risks of infection and pressure injuries.
Describe the procedure of giving a patient a bed bath
• Get the patient’s consent and make sure that they are comfortable with you carrying this out as they may prefer someone of a different gender
Obtain washing materials such as towels, soap and basin
• Raise bed to a comfortable height
• Hand hygiene
• Apply gloves
• Offer bedpan
• Remove and fold blanket and spread
• Remove the resident’s gown while keeping them covered by the top sheet
• Fill a washbasin with warm water two thirds full. Ask the patient to verify that water is a comfortable temperature
• First, cover the patient’s chest with a towel and set to gently washing their face with a damp washcloth
• Wash the ears and the area behind the ears
• Expose one arm and extend a towel lengthwise under the arm.
• Apply soap to the washcloth, then wash and dry the arm with long firm strokes, supporting the patient’s arm with your other hand.
• Wash the patient’s hand by placing it in the basin. Clean under the patient’s fingernails with a small stick. Dry the area when completed
• Ask the patient if they are comfortable with having their chest and abdomen exposed for washing. If not, you can wash the area underneath the sheet. If washing a woman, check the area beneath her breasts for reddened areas.
• To wash the abdomen, place a towel over the patient’s chest and expose the area down the pubic area. Thoroughly wash the abdomen, ensuring the navel and folds in the skin are also washed. Rinse and dry before covering for privacy and warmth.
• Empty the washbasin and refill for clean, warm water, checking again with the patient if the temperature is comfortable.
• Place a towel under one of the patient’s legs. Bend the knee up and place the patient’s foot into the basin. Wash rinse and dry the leg and foot. After drying the feet, observe between the toes for dryness and cracking. Repeat with the other leg.
• Empty the basin again and get more clean water that’s a comfortable temperature.
• Assist the patient to turn their back to you by rolling on their side. Put a towel lengthwise along the back. Apply soap to the washcloth and wash the patient’s neck, shoulders, back and buttocks with long circular strokes. Rinse out the cloth and use it to rinse the soap off the patient’s back.
• Pat the back dry and inspect the skin for any redness or irritation.
• To perform a back rub, apply lotion to your hands and apply to the entire back with long firm strokes
• Assist the patient to roll onto their back and offer a soapy washcloth so the patient can wash their genital area themselves if possible.
Wash their hands
Dispose of disposable equipment and dirty towels and linen in appropriate areas
What are the 6 principles of Basic Patient Care?
Provide Privacy Maintain Dignity Maintain Safety Maintain Warmth Promote Independence Anticipate Needs
What should you do if you notice a patient has a skin abrasion?
Minimise risk of infection by keeping wound clean and dry.
Lift, do not pull patients across beds
Use two or more people for assistance in moving them
What to do when you notice a patient has excessively dry skin?
Apply moisturising agents to minimise risk of skin cracking which can lead to infection
Bathe them less frequently, use no soap or less soap
Encourage increased fluid intake if safe to do so
What to do when you notice a patient has Ammonia Dermatitis (nappy rash)?
Keep skin dry and clean by applying protective ointments to the buttocks and perineum
Use disposable nappies
What to do when you notice a patient has acne?
Keep the skin clean to avoid secondary infection
Seek medical advice as treatment varies widely
What is erythema and what should you do when you notice it on a patient?
Reddened skin
Wash area carefully to remove microorganisms
Apply medicated spray or lotion as advised to promote healing
How often should oral care be carried out and why is it important?
Twice daily for normal patients and every two hours for comatose patients.
Because unchecked mouth bacteria can spread to other body systems and cause numerous complications
How often should oral care be carried out and why is it important?
Twice daily for normal patients and every two hours for comatose patients.
Because unchecked mouth bacteria can spread to other body systems and cause numerous complications
What is Halitosis and what should you do about it?
Bad breath
Teach or provide regular oral hygiene
What is Glossitis and what should you do about it?
Inflammation of the tongue
Teach or provide regular oral hygiene
What is Gingivitis and what should you do about it?
Inflammation of the gums
Teach or provide regular oral hygiene
What is Periodontal Disease and what should you do about it?
Gums appear spongy or bleeding
Teach or provide regular oral hygiene
What is Erythmic or Excoriated Mucosa and what should you do about it?
Reddened or missing skin from inside the mouth.
Check for ill fitting dentures
