Clinical Skills: Bathing, Hair, Feet

Question 1

5 ways to wash a patient

Answer 1

Complete, partial, therapeutic, shower, and tub bath

Question 2

Complete bed bath

Answer 2

For patients who are totally dependent so you have to bathe them with a commercial bag bath or cleansing pack. A complete bed bath can be exhausting to a patient so you may perform a partial bed bath (only necessary parts cleaned).

Question 3

Therapeutic bath

Answer 3

For patients with skin disorder, burn, elevated body temp, muscular injuries

Question 4

Partial bed bath

Answer 4

A complete bed bath can be exhausting to a patient so you may perform a partial bed bath (only necessary parts cleaned).

Question 5

Shower

Answer 5

For patients who are ambulatory and can sit in a shower. Provide a shower chair b/c it can be tiring.

Question 6

What is a way to brush a patient’s hair?

Answer 6

Divide the hair into three or four sections. Brush or comb one section at a time.

Question 7

How do you brush out tangles?

Answer 7

Use a wide tooth comb and brush tangles out from the bottom towards the scalp.

Question 8

Which brush is best for kinky, coiled hair?

Answer 8

A hair pick or wide tooth comb.

Question 9

How do you shampoo hair?

Answer 9

Start shampooing at the hairline and make your way towards the neck. To wash the back of the neck use one hand to lift the head and the other to shampoo beneath the lifted head.

Question 10

How do you rinse hair on a bed-ridden patient?

Answer 10

Use a plastic shampoo trough to catch the water. Put a waterproof cloth on bed and towels around patient to keep them from getting wet. Put washcloth over eyes to avoid soapy and water. You can also use dry shampoo, a shampoo cap, or no-rinse shampoo.

Question 11

How do you perform nail/foot care?

Answer 11

Soak the patient’s feet in a basin of water as you clean them. Wash them with soap and water. Dry them well. Cut nails straight across. Clean out nails if needed and apply lotion.