hygiene Flashcards
what is hygiene defined as
Hygiene can be defined as actions and practices that decrease the spread or transmission of pathogens, thereby lessening the occurrence of illness.
hygiene includes things like
washing hands, face, and body with soap and water
dental care
nail care
integumentary system
- Physical barriers serve as the first line of defense in preventing pathogens from entering the body.
- The integumentary system, consisting of:
* Skin, hair, nails, sebaceous glands,
and, sweat glands - Its function is to block pathogens from entering the immune system from the outside environment.
the skin
Largest organ in the body, covering most of the outer surfaces of the body
* First line of defense against pathogens
* Serves as a physical barrier to offer protection to the internal parts of the body
* Contains Langerhans cells, whose role is to sense and kill pathogens that are found on the skin trying to enter the body
the skin layers
the skin is made up of two layers, the superficial epidermis and the dermis
the epidermis
- The epidermis is the outer layer of
the skin that lays upon the dermis
protecting it.
the dermis
- The dermis underlines the epidermis and is made up of connective tissue together with
nervous tissue, blood, and blood vessels. The dermis layer provides the skin with its strength and elasticity.
the hypodermis
The hypodermis, also known as the subcutaneous layer, is beneath the dermis and separates the dermis from the underlying organs.
the hypodermis
- The hypodermis, which contains adipose tissue, acts as a cushion from any physical trauma and insulates as it serves as fat
storage.
where are mucous membranes found
mouth
respiratory tract
GI tract
urinary tract
other areas exposed to outside environment
what are mucous membranes
- Acts as a barrier to outside pathogens.
- They secrete mucus to entrap pathogens and small particles.
- The nares have cilia which are shaped like little hairs
- Cilia trap particles inhaled while breathing, pushing them to the front of the nose or
back of the throat, causing the person to cough or sneeze and preventing them from
entering the body.
primary roles for teeth
- Chewing food to make it easier to swallow
- Provide support and structure to the face
- Assist in producing sounds during speech
what is the teeths first line of defense
enamel
* Protects against plaque and pathogens
* The hardest material in the human body
what is below the enamel
dentin
Protects the pulp inside the teeth
pulp of teeth
Composed of blood vessels, nerves, and
connective tissue
* Supplies nutrients to the teeth
oral hygiene
- Keeping the mouth and teeth clean by
brushing and flossing the teeth and using
fluoride mouthwash to promote oral health. - Should be done at least twice daily
- Nurses should assist clients with oral
hygiene as needed - Clients on ventilators should be provided
oral hygiene frequently to reduce the risk of
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) - Inadequate oral hygiene can lead to:
- Tooth decay
- Gingivitis
- Periodontitis
- Oral care should include dentures and other
dental appliances clients use
nails
nails contain layers of keratin that protect the distal ends of the fingers and toes from injury
cuticles
- Surround proximal and lateral edges of nails
- A form of epidermis
- Connects the skin of the finger to the nail plate, forming a barrier to prevent infection of underlying tissue
pterygium
a membrane located behind the cuticle
- provides additional protection to skin form pathogens
nail care
Keep nails and cuticles clean and dry
* Use gloves during prolonged contact with water or using harsh chemicals
* Trim nails straight across using sharp manicure scissors or clippers
* Longer nail length has been shown to conceal a greater number of germs compared to shorter nail length.
* Rub lotion into nails and cuticles when using hand cream
* Discourage biting or picking at nails or cuticles, which can allow bacteria or fungi to enter and cause
infection
health care associated infection
Health Care-associated infections (HAI’s)
are Infections acquired in a healthcare
facility such as a hospital, nursing home, or
ambulatory care facility
some was to help avoid health care-associated infections
- Effective handwashing is necessary to
prevent healthcare-associated infections. - Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is a solution
that can often be used in place of soap and water. - Hand sanitizer must contain at least 60%
alcohol to effectively kill most infectious pathogens. - Should NOT be used when:
- Hands are visibly soiled
- After providing care to a client with infectious
diarrhea - After being exposed to bacteria produced by
spores (Clostridium difficile)
what is health promotion
the process of enabling people to increase control over and improve all aspects of their general health
health promotion focuses on
Creating awareness of health problems
* Producing positive changes in behavior related to prevention and beliefs about illness
* Encouraging increased utilization of health services
encompasses the whole person, to include:
Mental well-being
* Physical well-being
* Spiritual well-being and
* Social well-being
development considerations in newborns and infants
- Bathing 3 times weekly should be sufficient for most newborns.
- Bathing more frequently can cause excessive drying and damage delicate skin.
diaper dermatitis
- Diaper dermatitis - a condition in which the skin becomes inflamed in response to
various substances such as urine, feces, fungal and bacterial infections, and allergic
reaction to substances in the diaper.
treatments for diaper dermatitis
- Can occur in clients of any age who wear diapers
- Most common in infants aged 9-12 months
- The most notable risk factor is increased moisture from wearing a diaper.
- Treatment includes:
- Frequent diaper changes
- Washing and cleaning the skin with water and soap-free cleanser
- Using topical emollients to create a barrier between skin and diaper
developmental considerations for school-age children and teenagers
Hormonal changes during the preteen and teenage years can cause changes in the
skin including:
* Increased sweating
* Oily skin
* Good Hygiene practices during this time can help reduce skin breakdown
* Bathing daily
* Washing hair at least every other day
* Using deodorant or antiperspirant
* Using mild, non-comedogenic cleansers and soaps can help prevent oily skin
encouraging good habits does waht
decreases the risk of infections to poor hygiene and skin breakdown
developmental considerations with older adults
May resist bathing or showering for various reasons including illness or disease but other factors can include:
* Pain with mobility
* Fear of water or the sound of water
* Fear of falling
* Fear of the water temperature (too hot or cold)
* Difficulty getting in and out of the shower
* Giving clients choices concerning bathing can be enough to encourage it.
ignoring refusals to bathe with older adults is
- Ignoring refusals to bathe can be considered abuse. However, overlooking
hygiene needs can jeopardize the client’s health.
what does finding a way to work with clients do that is important for overall health
- Finding the reason for their reluctance and working with them to find a solution is
the job of the nurse and important to the client’s overall health.
hemiplegia
paralysis that affects one side of the body
bariatric challenges
- Clients who are referred to as “bariatric” are of increased weight or body mass index (BMI). Increased BMI causes distinctive physiological
changes that affect skin integrity, such as extremely deep skin folds, especially in the abdominal region.
dementia
Clients with dementia may have difficulty performing personal hygiene activities, which can be the first sign of dementia.
foot care
Foot care should be performed daily using
soap and water.
* Drying the feet completely is important,
particularly between the toes
* Apply lotion, especially on the heels but
avoid the area between the toes
* The nurse should inspect the feet for any
cuts, blisters, cracked skin, or discoloration and pay particular attention to individuals at higher risk of impaired peripheral circulation
* Follow facilities policies on trimming nails
perineal care defined
cleaning the perineum, the area located between the tailbone and pubic arch.
parts to perineal care
For females this means the area between the vulva and anus.
* For males, this area is between the scrotum and anus.
* Can be performed during a bed bath, tub bath, or shower as well as needed in-between bathing.
* If appropriate, the client should be allowed to perform their perineal care.
* If an indwelling urinary catheter is in place, catheter care should be performed
daily when bathing the client and if the area becomes soiled due to incontinence of the bowel throughout the day.
complete bed bath
Complete bed bath: Bathing a client who remains in the bed, is usually required for those clients who are unable to ambulate to the bathroom and bathe themselves.
partial bed bath
Partial bed bath: A bath given in bed by the nurse or other designated health care provider in which the client completes part of the bath themselves.
how much alcohol should hand sanitizer have
60%
bariatric at bigger risk for what infections
yeast
poor oral hygiene can lead to
- cardiovascular issues
- oral issues/disease
