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Topic 1-6
Advanced Principles of Patient Hygiene

Providing for a patient's hygiene is probably the most basic of all nursing care activities, but it is undoubtedly one of the most important. Not only is it a provision for the patient's physical needs; it also contributes immeasurably to the patient's feeling of emotional well-being.

After completing this lesson, you should be able to:

• Determine purposes for giving a patient a bath.
• Identify conditions, which encourage skin breakdown.
• Identify interventions, which can prevent skin breakdown.
• Identify patient needs to consider and observations to make during the bathing procedures.
• Identify the principles of mouth care, to include the patient with dentures, the patient with mouth complications, and the unconscious patient.
• Identify the principles and reasons for the back massage.
• Determine guidelines for shaving a male patient.
• Determine guidelines for performing perineal care.
• Identify principles for and purposes of hair care.

Select a Lesson:

	Purpose of the Patient's Daily Bath
	Dealing with Skin Breakdown in a Patient Who is Confined to Bed
	Bathing a Patient
	Patient Mouth Care
	Back Massage as a Patient Comfort Measure
	Shaving a Male Patient
	Perineal Care
	Bed Patient's Hair Care

Nothing points out loss of independence quite as much as an inability to perform personal hygiene unassisted. Your thoughtfulness and the professionalism you exhibit when assisting a patient with hygiene needs will foster that patient's feelings of independence, confidence, trust, and comfort.

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