Chapter 6 - Personal Care Skills Flashcards

86 vocabulary flashcards covering personal care skills, pressure injury prevention, bathing, grooming, oral care, and positioning based on Chapter 6.

Personal care

Care that helps residents with hygiene, grooming, dressing, elimination, mobility, and other activities of daily living.

Reason for promoting independence

Helps residents maintain abilities, self-esteem, dignity, and as much independence as possible.

Personal care decision maker

The resident should make choices about their personal care whenever possible.

Protocol before entering a room

Knock, wait for permission, and identify yourself according to facility policy.

Importance of explaining care

Residents have a right to know what care will be provided, and explanations promote cooperation and independence.

NA observations during care

The resident's physical and mental condition and any changes that should be reported.

Handling resident fatigue

Allow the resident to rest and assist as needed rather than rushing the procedure.

Standard bed position after care

In its lowest position, unless otherwise directed.

Call light placement

Within the resident's reach.

Pressure injury

Damage to skin and underlying tissue caused by prolonged pressure, often over a bony prominence.

Bony prominences

Areas where bone lies close to the skin.

Pressure points

Areas of the body that bear much of the body's weight and are at increased risk for pressure injuries.

Bottom sheet maintenance

The bottom sheet should be kept free from wrinkles.

Risk of wrinkled linens

Wrinkles can create pressure and friction against the skin and contribute to skin breakdown.

Ideal skin state for prevention

Clean and dry to help prevent pressure injuries.

Shearing

Skin damage that can occur when the skin stays in place while deeper tissues move, such as when a resident is pulled across sheets.

Prevention of shearing

Use a draw sheet or appropriate transfer device rather than dragging the resident.

Draw sheet

A sheet used to help turn or reposition a resident without causing shearing.

Bed cradle

A device that keeps bed covers from resting on the legs and feet.

Footboard

A device placed against the feet to maintain alignment and help prevent foot drop.

Handroll

A cloth-covered item placed in the hand to keep the fingers in a natural position.

Trochanter roll

A rolled towel or similar support used to keep the hips and legs from turning outward.

Orthotic device

A device that supports and aligns a limb and may improve its function.

Massage for red areas

Should not be massaged because it may cause further tissue damage.

Immobile resident repositioning interval

At least every two hours, or according to the care plan/facility policy.

Wheelchair repositioning

Required regularly to relieve pressure and prevent skin breakdown.

Nutritional effect on skin

Helps keep skin healthy and supports healing.

Stage 1 pressure injury

Intact skin with an area that differs in color from surrounding skin and does not return to normal after pressure is relieved.

Lateral position danger zones

Side of head, ear, shoulder, hip, greater trochanter, knees, and ankles.

Prone position danger zones

Cheek, collarbone, breasts in women, abdomen, genitals in men, knees, and toes.

Supine position danger zones

Back of head, shoulder blades, elbows, buttocks, sacrum, between the legs, and heels.

Partial bath

A bath that usually includes the face, hands, underarms, perineal area, and other areas needing attention; feet may also be included as directed.

Face washing standard

Usually a washcloth and water, unless the resident prefers or needs another product.

Choice of water temperature

The resident should choose a comfortable temperature, as long as it is safe.

Maximum shampoo water temperature

No higher than $110^{\circ}F$.

Frequency of perineal care

At least once a day and whenever needed, such as after incontinence.

Preferred bathing product

Shampoo is preferred over baby powder, body oil, or talcum powder during a shower or tub bath.

Glove change in bed bath

Before washing the perineal area if gloves were used for other care, and whenever contaminated.

Benefits of regular grooming

Promotes cleanliness, comfort, dignity, self-esteem, and a sense of normalcy.

Adult resident hairstyle rule

Avoid childish hairstyles to respect the resident's age, preferences, dignity, and individuality.

Lotion application restriction

Should NOT be applied between the toes during foot care.

Gloves during shaving

Required to protect against contact with blood and help prevent infection.

Electric razor indication

Residents taking anticoagulants may use them because of increased bleeding risk and lower chance of cutting skin.

Lice prevention

Avoid sharing combs, brushes, hats, towels, clothing, and personal items; follow infection-control procedures.

Clothing selection

The resident should choose their clothing for the day.

Standard daytime clothing

Clean, comfortable clothing appropriate for the resident's preferences and activities.

Dressing a weak side

The weaker or affected side goes into the garment first.

Undressing a weak side

The stronger or unaffected side comes out of the garment first.

Memory rule for dressing/undressing

Dress the weak side first; undress the strong side first.

Oral care frequency

At least twice daily and as needed, commonly after meals and before bed.

Oral care reporting items

Sores/ulcers, white spots, flaky or swollen tissue, dry/cracked/bleeding lips, loose/chipped/broken/decayed teeth, abnormal gums, unusual breath odor, and mouth pain.

Aspiration

The inhalation of food, fluid, saliva, or other material into the airway or lungs.

Aspiration prevention (unconscious)

Turn the resident's head to the side, use very little fluid, and remove excess fluid from the mouth.

Oral care for unconscious residents

Reduces dryness, infection, and aspiration risk since the resident cannot perform care independently.

Fracture pan

A bedpan used for residents who cannot raise their hips or cannot use a regular bedpan easily.

Male urination device (bed-bound)

A urinal.

Portable or bedside commode

Used by residents able to get out of bed but unable to walk to the bathroom.

Bedside commode (alternative name)

Portable commode.

Body waste PPE

Gloves should always be worn when handling body waste.

Urine and stool observation

Changes in color, odor, and qualities may indicate a health problem and should be reported.

Supine position

Lying flat on the back.

Prone position

Lying on the stomach.

Lateral position

Lying on either side.

Fowler's position

A semi-sitting position with the head of the bed elevated.

Sims' position

A side-lying position, often on the left side, with the upper leg bent more than the lower leg.

Purpose of repositioning

Relieves pressure, promotes circulation, and helps prevent skin breakdown and pressure injuries.

Logrolling

Moving a resident as one unit without twisting or disturbing body alignment.

Purpose of logrolling

To maintain spinal/body alignment while turning or moving a resident.

Dangling

Sitting on the edge of the bed with the feet hanging down before standing.

Purpose of dangling

Helps resident adjust to an upright position, regain balance, and reduce dizziness before standing.

Post-transfer wheelchair check

Check the resident's comfort, body alignment, and safe positioning.

Mechanical or hydraulic lift

Equipment used with a sling to transfer a resident who cannot bear weight on the legs.

Benefit of mechanical lifts

They help prevent injury to both the resident and caregivers.

Transfer belt placement

Over the resident's clothing and around the waist.

Transfer belt skin contact

A transfer belt should not be placed directly on bare skin.

Procedures for a falling resident

Widen stance, bend knees, support the resident, and lower them safely to the floor.

Transfer

Moving a resident from one place to another, such as from a bed to a wheelchair.

Transfer board (slide board)

Device used to help transfer a resident who cannot bear weight or has difficulty moving between surfaces.

Wheelchair brake safety

Brakes should be locked before a transfer.

Wheelchair footrest safety

Move or swing them out of the way as appropriate during a transfer.

Proper body alignment purpose

To promote comfort, function, circulation, and help prevent pain, skin injury, and contractures.

Positioning

Placing a resident's body in proper alignment and changing position regularly for comfort, safety, and health.

Bedridden repositioning frequency

At least every two hours, following the care plan.

Purpose of positioning devices

To support body parts, maintain alignment, relieve pressure, and increase comfort.

NA post-care steps

Make resident comfortable, place call light within reach, wash hands, report changes, and document.

Importance of documentation

Provides a legal and clinical record; if care is not documented, legally it may be considered not done.