Deck 11: Bathing and Personal Hygiene

Question 1

The patient has an endotracheal tube (ET) and is unresponsive to painful stimuli.Which action should the nurse implement while providing oral care?

A) Use suction to remove oral secretions.
B) Test the gag reflex with squirts of water.
C) Clean the teeth with a firm toothbrush.
D) Prevent patient toothbrush biting with an airway.

Answer 1

Use suction to remove oral secretions.

Question 2

A female patient is on bed rest.In which position should the nurse place her to provide perineal care?

A) Prone
B) Supine
C) Dorsal recumbent
D) Fowler's

Answer 2

Dorsal recumbent

Question 3

An older adult is admitted for a respiratory infection and is found to have very dry skin with several areas exhibiting some cracking.What question is most important for the nurse to ask the patient?

A) "Are you able to reach your feet when you bathe?"
B) "Would you like me to give you a back massage?"
C) "Do you get chilled easily when you bathe?"
D) "How often do you usually bathe?"

Answer 3

"How often do you usually bathe?"

Question 4

The nurse determines that the patient is physically incapable of maintaining his personal hygiene.What is the most appropriate nursing approach for this patient?

A) Explain how important it is for the patient to care for him- or herself.
B) Assess the patient's psychological status.
C) Encourage the family to take over the personal hygiene.
D) Encourage the patient to help in any way possible.

Question 5

The nurse instructs the spouse of an elderly patient who is on bed rest on how to provide a complete bed bath.What does the nurse include in the patient/family teaching?

A) Prevent dryness with CHG solution.
B) Clean the anus vigorously and dry with a towel.
C) Wash the perineal area with warm running water.
D) Daily bed baths can cause skin damage.

Question 6

The nurse is preparing to shave a patient's beard.Which approach is best for the nurse to use?

A) Soften the beard with a cool, wet washcloth.
B) Hold the razor at a 90-degree angle to the skin.
C) Remove the hair in the direction of hair growth.
D) Maintain the patient in a prone position for shaving.

Question 7

The patient is able to sit in the chair while the bed is being made.What nursing process step should the nurse implement for bed making?

A) Keep the bed in the low position.
B) Pull the blanket up to the head of the bed.
C) Instruct the patient to hold the side rail.
D) Delegate the task to nursing assistive personnel (NAP).

Question 8

An unconscious male patient's beard has become soiled with blood and adhesive tape residue.What should the nurse do initially to maintain the patient's hygiene?

A) Trim the beard to a short, manageable length.
B) Shampoo the beard at the bedside and comb out debris.
C) Determine if there are contraindications to trimming the beard.
D) Use baby powder to soak up debris; comb debris out.

Question 9

The patient is bedridden, in pain, and doesn't want the head of the bed raised.Which method should the nurse use to change the patient's bed linens?

A) Ask the patient to raise the lower body to remove the soiled linen.
B) Keep the top sheets over the patient and slowly roll him or her to each side.
C) Keep the patient on the left side and get extra help to remove soiled linens quickly.
D) Fanfold the top linen to the bottom of the bed and replace with clean linen.

Question 10

The patient's skin is thin and tight.Which approach should the nurse implement to maintain skin integrity?

A) Increase bathing to 2 times daily.
B) Use super-fatted soap or a prepackaged bath.
C) Avoid lotions to help retain skin moisture.
D) Massage the skin briskly to increase circulation.

Question 11

The patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus and peripheral arterial disease receives a bed bath.Which foot care technique would the nurse use for this patient?

A) Soak the feet in warm water.
B) Allow the feet to stay moist.
C) Use warm water to cleanse the feet.
D) Cut the nails in a curved shape.

Question 12

The nurse is caring for an unconscious patient.The student nurse asks why oral care is necessary since the patient does not eat.What response by the nurse is best?

A) "Even an unconscious patient can choke on secretions."
B) "Oral care is part of daily hygiene for all patients".
C) "Not doing oral care might cause the patient discomfort."
D) "These patients are prone to infection that good oral care could prevent."

Question 13

The nurse identifies several abrasions on the patient's skin.Which intervention does the nurse use for the patient?

A) Apply antibiotic ointment.
B) Apply calamine lotion.
C) Shave the immediate area.
D) Wash the area with soap and water.

Question 14

A patient reports itching skin on the back.What should the nurse do initially to relieve the patient's discomfort?

A) Administer an anti-itch cream.
B) Assess the patient's skin condition.
C) Remind the patient to shift positions.
D) Assess for skin allergies to laundry soap.

Question 15

The nurse is providing a bath for a patient at risk of deep vein thrombosis.Which technique should the nurse use?

A) Use short, light strokes when washing the legs.
B) Use long, firm strokes when washing the legs.
C) Use circular strokes up and down the legs.
D) Pat the legs gently with a warm, wet washcloth.

Question 16

A patient wants to put in his dentures after not wearing them for several days.Which intervention by the nurse minimizes the risk of gum irritation that can lead to infection?

A) Store the dentures in a clean, dry container.
B) Scrub the dentures with medicated toothpaste.
C) Check to see that the dentures are a snug fit.
D) Use dental floss to clean between each tooth.

Question 17

The nurse offers personal hygiene to a very modest patient.Which does the nurse implement to maintain patient dignity and respect?

A) Uses the patient's personal care products.
B) Explains hospital policy and procedure.
C) Provides care at scheduled times as promised.
D) Determines cultural and personal preferences.

Question 18

The nurse is preparing to bathe the patient.Which patient statement would best communicate a desired outcome as a result of the nurse's bathing and skin care?

A) "The daily baths are great for my dry skin."
B) "The cold water felt good during the bath."
C) "I enjoyed the vigorous massage of my feet."
D) "I feel more relaxed than I have all day."

Question 19

The nurse is caring for four patients with different diagnoses.Which patient should the nurse shave with an electric razor?

A) The patient with hypertension
B) The patient with high cholesterol
C) The patient with a closed head injury
D) The patient with a pulmonary embolus

Question 20

The nurse bathes an unconscious patient.Which action should the nurse implement to maintain infection control during a bed bath?

A) Use long strokes and lotion to massage both legs.
B) Perform a complete assessment of the patient's skin.
C) Wash each eye carefully rinsing all traces of soap.
D) Soap the entire front of the patient's body and then rinse.

Question 21

The nurse is orientating a NAP about bathing patients.Which statement by the NAP indicates a good understanding of the process? (Select all that apply.)

A) "I should let the nurse know if I see any redness on the patient's skin."
B) "I should make sure I do not leave the patient unattended with side-rails down."
C) "I should provide females perineal care with the patients on their sides."
D) "I should report any unusual perineal drainage."
E) "I can disconnect the IV tubing to put on the gown."

Question 22

The nurse is planning to delegate foot care to the NAP for three patients.Which patient should the nurse do the foot care for?

A) Postoperative after a hip fracture
B) Diabetic patient
C) Patient with a head injury
D) Pneumonia patient

Question 23

The nurse assesses the incontinent patient's perineal skin and notes redness.What does the nurse include in the patient's plan of care to individualize nursing care?

A) Minimize exposure of the perineum to soap and water.
B) Apply an antiinflammatory agent to the affected area.
C) Provide frequent perineal care, especially after incontinence episodes.
D) Remove the incontinence brief and expose the skin to air for an hour.

Question 24

The nurse is getting ready to shampoo a patient's hair and notices bites behind the ears and on the hairline.After notifying the health care provider, what is the next step?

A) Shampoo the hair as planned.
B) Do not shampoo the hair.
C) Put the person in isolation.
D) Use a medication shampoo.