Nursing CNA
Personal Care Skills
1. Overview of Personal Care
Personal care focuses on the individual's body, appearance, and hygiene, emphasizing the importance of privacy.
Hygiene refers to maintaining cleanliness and health, exemplified by activities like bathing and brushing teeth.
Grooming includes caring for nails and hair, integral parts of daily living (ADLs).
Daily assistance with personal care tasks is often categorized into a.m. and p.m. care.
2. Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
A.m. Care Activities:
Offering bedpans or assisting with bathroom visits and perineal care.
Helping with washing face and hands.
Assisting in hair care, dressing, and shaving.
Facilitating mouth care pre- and post-breakfast.
P.m. Care Activities:
Providing assistance with bedpans or bathroom visits.
Helping residents wash their face and hands.
Offering snacks and mouth care.
Assisting residents in changing into nightclothes and providing back rubs.
3. Promoting Independence and Dignity
The approach taken by nursing assistants (NAs) in personal care significantly impacts residents' independence and dignity.
Sensitivity towards residents' preferences about touch and assistance is essential.
NAs must explain procedures before starting and make sure to provide privacy during care tasks.
4. Guidelines for Personal Care
Encourage residents to do as much as they can independently.
Knock and obtain permission before entering a resident's room.
Avoid interruptions in personal matters, such as bathroom usage and phone calls.
Maintain respect for personal items and dressing areas.
Always observe for changes during personal care that might require reporting.
5. Understanding Skin Care and Pressure Injury Prevention
Skin deterioration is more likely in immobile residents due to reduced circulation, especially at pressure points (bony areas like elbows, hips, and heels).
Pressure injuries, also known as pressure ulcers or bed sores, require preventive care, including regular skin assessments and timely repositioning.
Stages of Pressure Injuries:
Stage 1: Redness that does not disappear with relief of pressure.
Stage 2: Partial thickness skin loss; looks like a blister.
Stage 3: Full thickness skin loss exposing fat.
Stage 4: Extensive damage down to muscle or bone.
Unstageable: Full thickness damage obscured by slough or eschar.
Deep Tissue Injury: Intact skin with non-blanchable discoloration.
6. Basic Skin Care Guidelines
Report any changes in skin condition.
Daily skin care routine to keep skin clean and dry.
Regular repositioning of immobile residents to avoid skin injuries.
Beautify skin care to ensure comfort and cleanliness.
7. Bathing Guidelines
Ensure warmer water and privacy during bathing.
Use gentle techniques; avoid harsh soaps for residents with fragile skin.
Follow steps for a comprehensive bed bath carefully, ensuring comfort and privacy.
8. Grooming and Personal Grooming
Encourage self-grooming as much as possible.
Pay attention to nail care hygiene to prevent infections.
Observe preferences in hair care routines and provide support respectfully.
9. Oral Care
Oral care should involve brushing, flossing, and lip care, done at least twice daily.
Special attention must be given to unconscious residents to prevent aspiration risks during mouth care.
10. Toileting Assistance
Understand the use of bedpans and urinals for residents unable to use standard toilets.
Maintain dignity during the process by ensuring privacy and providing necessary support.
11. Safely Positioning Residents
Reposition residents every two hours to promote circulation and comfort.
Utilize proper techniques for moving residents safely to prevent injuries with their limbs or pressure sores.
Apply knowledge of body mechanics in transferring residents to enhance safety for both residents and caregivers.
12. Transfer Techniques
Utilize transfer belts, slide boards, and mechanical lifts correctly for safe resident movement.
Follow proper ergonomic principles to minimize physical strain during transfers.
13. Documentation
Always document personal care activities as per facility policies to ensure clarity and legal protection.