Question

1. You are a visiting free clinic nurse intending to assess an 89-year-old woman in her home, as she has extremely limited mobility. Your patient greets you while ambulating with a walker and slowly removes a pile of magazines from a chair, motioning for you to sit. While talking casually to establish rapport, you take note of her unkempt hair, soiled clothing, and dry skin. Your sense of smell detects body odors indicating lack of recent oral care and personal hygiene, including perineal care. (Learning Objectives #1, #2, & #7)

a. In your interview, how would you address her bathing habits?

b. What would be an appropriate way to address her deficient hygiene?

c. Why would questions regarding her skin condition be appropriate?

d. She indicates that her favorite soap is deodorant soap. Why might that not be the best choice for her?

e. Which bathing style would be most appropriate for her on the days her aide does not visit? Provide your rationale.

f. Outline three appropriate hygiene goals for this patient’s plan of care.

Answer 1

a)

1.How do you start your day?

2.Who is helping you to perform activities of daily living?

3.Where do you take bath, bathroom or in the bed?

4.How many times you take bath in a day?

b)  The nurse can ask her regarding unkempt hair and soiled clothing. Give a small class on personal hygiene including oral care and perineal care.Nurse can mention the lack of room cleanliness. Ask her whether she brush the teeth, otherwise help her to do so.Give magazines including the content of personal hygiene.

c) Questions regarding dry skin help the nurse to understand whether she has any kidney disease, diabetes,or liver problems. There is a high risk for bedsore in dry skin. Here the lady has poor mobility. so there is a chance for bedsore. It also help to understand her food habbit.

d) A deodorant soap is a cosmetic product intended for washing the body to eliminate odors. Here the patient has a bad body odour. so she can use some other soap for bathing.

e) Bed bath is appropriate for her on the days her aide does not visit. Bed bath cleans the skin and helps to keep the skin free of infection. it help to relax the person being bathed and help him feel better. Here the lady has poor mobility. So unattended walking to bathroom there is a chance for fall.

f)

1) Patient maintains good oral and perineal hygiene

2) patient safely executes self-care activities to utmost capabilities

3) Patient maintains healthy skin as much as possible