Chapter 6 Personal Care Skills

Bony prominences- areas of the body where the bone lies close to the skin.

Pressure injuries (pressure ulcers, pressure sores, bed sores, and decubitus ulcers) - a serious wound caused by skin deterioration. 

Pressure points- areas of the body that bear much of a person's body weight. 

Shearing- rubbing or friction that is caused by the skin moving one way and the bone underneath it moving the other way.

Assistive devices:

• Draw sheet- an extra sheet placed on top of the bottom sheet (used for moving bed-ridden residents).

• Orthotic/ orthosis- helps support in aligning a limb and improve its function.

Foot drop- a weakness of muscles in the feet and ankles that causes problems with the ability to flex the ankles and walk normally.

Pediculosis- lice

Intravenous therapy- IV

Embolism- an obstruction of the blood vessel, usually caused by a blood clot.  

• Dress the weaker side first 

• Undress the stronger side first

  • Antiembolic stockings- help prevent swelling and blood clots. (applied in the morning)

Aspiration- the inhalation of food, fluid, or foreign material into lungs. 

Fracture pan- a bedpan that is flatter than a regular bedpan. 

Portable commode/ bedside commode- a chair with a toilet seat and a removable container underneath. 

• A standard bedpan should be positioned with the wider end aligned with the residents buttocks. 

Positioning:

• Supine- lying flat on their back. 

• Lateral- lying on either side. 

• Prone- lying on the stomach or front side of the body. 

• Fowler’s- A semi-sitting position in which a person's head and shoulders are elevated 45-60 degrees. 

• Sims- lying on the left side with the right knee flexed and raised toward the chest. 

Logrolling- moving a person as a unit, not disturbing the alignment of the body.

Ergonomics- the science of designing equipment, areas, and work tasks to make them safer and more suitable to the employees needs.