Chapter 17: Assisting With Grooming

True or False: You do not need the person's consent to braid their hair.

False; You need the person's consent to braid their hair.

True or False: Report nicks and cuts to the nurse when you are done shaving the person.

False; report this to the nurse at once.

True or False: Never cut the person's hair.

True.

True or False: You should encourage persons to perform their own hair care, and you assist as needed.

True. The person chooses how to brush, comb, and style their own hair.

anticoagulant

a drug that prevents or slows blood clotting *If the person gets cut, serious bleeding occurs that is hard to stop.*

scabies

a skin disorder caused by the female mite - a small, spider-like organism

When are garments changed?

after bathing on admission and discharge when wet or soiled

pediculosis

an infestation with wingless insects; lice

Use electric shavers for persons taking ________ drugs. Never use safety razors on these persons. Also never use safety razors on persons with healing problems.

anticoagulant

Moving the IV bag can change the flow rate. When you are done changing a gown, what should you do?

ask the nurse to check the flow rate

infestation

being in or on a host

Common sites for scabies are...

breasts waist buttocks underarm area genital area on the thighs between the fingers around the wrists

Alopecia (hair loss) may be complete or partial. Male pattern baldness occurs with aging. It results from heredity. Women often experience thinning hair with age. _______ treatments often cause alopecia in persons of all ages.

cancer treatments (radiation therapy to the head, chemotherapy)

Highly contagious, scabies is transmitted to others via...

close contact

Check between the toes for _______ and _______. These areas often go overlooked. If not treated, a serious infection could develop.

cracks sores

Keep shampoo away from the person and out of the eyes. Have the person hold a washcloth over the eyes. To rinse the person's hair, what should you do?

cup your hand at the person's forehead to prevent water/shampoo from running down the person's forehead into the eyes

Most residents wear street clothes during the day and sleepwear at bedtime. Most patients wear gowns. How often are gowns changed?

daily

Long hair easily mats and tangles. What measures can help prevent this problem?

daily brushing and combing braids

Older persons with wrinkled skin are at an increased risk for nicks and cuts. Safety razors are not used to shave them or persons with _______.

dementia *Persons with dementia may not understand what you are doing. They may resist care and move suddenly. Serious nicks and cuts can occur. Use electric shavers for these persons.*

IV pumps control the flow rate - how fast a fluid enters a vein. If the person has an IV pump and a standard gown...

do not change the person's gown; the nurse handles the person's arm with the IV

dandruff

excessive amounts of dry, white flakes from the scalp

hirsutism

excessive body hair

Place a towel across the person's back and shoulders to collect falling hair. If the person is in bed...

give hair care before changing bed linens and the pillowcase; if done after, place a towel across the pillow to collect falling hair

alopecia

hair loss

Lice attach their eggs (nits) to _______ _______. Nits are oval-shaped, and yellow to white in color. After hatching, they bite the skin or scalp to feed on blood. Adult lice are tan to grayish-white in color and are about the size of a sesame seed.

hair shafts

Remove _______ _______ before shampooing. Water will damage them.

hearing aids

Hirsutism can occur in people of all ages and genders. It is caused by...

heredity abnormal amounts of male hormones

When using an electric shaver on the face, shave against the direction of hair growth. If you are using a rotary-type shaver, how should you shave?

in small circles over the face *Note: your state and agency may require you to shave in the direction of hair growth. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and the rules in your state and agency.*

When using a safety razor, which parts of the body should you shave in the direction of hair growth? Which parts of the body should you shave against the direction of hair growth?

in the direction of hair growth: face and underarms against the direction of hair growth: legs

Nail and foot care prevents _______, _______, and _______.

infection injury odors

Most patients wear gowns. So do some nursing center residents. Gowns are usually worn for _______ therapy.

intravenous (IV) *Some agencies have special gowns for IV therapy. They open along the sleeve and close with ties, snaps, or Velcro. Sometimes standard gowns are used.*

Lice bites cause severe _______ in the affected area. Lice easily spread to others through clothing, head coverings, beds, bed linens, sexual contact, furniture, towels, and sharing combs and brushes.

itching

With dandruff, ______ is commonly experienced. Sometimes, the eyebrows and ear canals are involved.

itching

After soaking, apply _______ or _______ _______ to the feet. This can cause slippery feet. Help the person put on non-skid footwear before you transfer the person or let the person walk.

lotion petroleum jelly

Return _______ products to the nurse. Never leave them at the bedside unless the nurse tells you to do so.

medicated

To change a gown, you must...

move the IV bag

Use _______ _______ to cut fingernails. Never use ________. Use extreme caution to prevent damage to nearby tissues.

nail clippers scissors

The _______ or _______ may cut toenails instead and provide foot care as well for persons with what conditions?

nurse; podiatrist persons who are diabetic persons who have poor circulation to the legs/feet persons who take drugs that affect blood clotting persons who have very thick nails or ingrown toenails

In nursing centers, shampooing is usually done when?

on the person's bath or shower day

How do you brush and comb hair that is not matted or tangled?

part the hair down the middle into two sides divide each side into two smaller sections and brush from the scalp to the ends

Some people apply lotion or after-shave to the skin after shaving. Lotion softens the skin. After-shave closes _______.

pores

Hair care, shaving, nail and foot care, and clean garments...

prevent infection promote comfort affect love, belonging, and self-esteem needs

If the person's hair gets shampooed by a hairdresser or barber, what should you do when you shower the person or give them a bath?

provide a shower cap

With scabies, the female mite burrows into the skin and lays eggs. When the eggs hatch, the females produce more eggs. The person becomes infested with mites. The person has a _______ and intense _______.

rash itching

Sharp brush bristles can injure the scalp. So can a comb with sharp or broken teeth. What should you do if there is a concern about the person's brush or comb?

report this to the nurse

When are nails easiest to trim and clean?

right after bathing

Some patient's gowns tie at the upper back, and the back and buttocks are exposed when the person stands. Cover the person for warmth and privacy. A _______ may be used. Or a second gown can be worn backwards to cover the back and buttocks. Other gowns overlap in the back and tie at the side. They provide more privacy. Because they tie at the side, uncomfortable bows and knots in the back are avoided.

robe

Wear gloves if the person has _______ _______. Follow Standard Precautions and the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard.

scalp sores

The feet are easily burned. Persons with decreased _______ or _______ problems may not feel hot temperatures.

sensation circulation

The shampoo method depends on the person's condition, safety measures, and personal choice. The nurse tells you what method to use. What are the types of shampooing methods?

shampoo during tub bath or shower shampoo at the sink shampoo in bed

How is lice treated?

shampoo, lotions, and creams specific for treating lice thorough bathing washing clothing and linen in hot water

Discard used razor blades and disposable shavers in the _______ _______. Do not re-cap the razor.

sharps container

How is scabies treated?

special creams cleaning the person's room washing clothing and linens in hot water

Remove clothing from the _______ (unaffected) side first. Put clothing on the _______ (affected) side first.

strong weak

For injury or paralysis, remove the gown from the _______ arm first. Support the _______ arm while removing the gown. Put the clean gown on the _______ arm first and then on the ________ arm.

strong weak weak strong

How do you brush and comb hair that is matted or tangled?

take a small section of hair near the ends comb or brush through to the hair ends add small sections of hair as you work up to the scalp comb or brush through each longer section to the hair ends

Soften beards before shaving. To do so, apply a moist, warm washcloth for a few minutes. Then pat dry the face and apply _______ _______ if using an electric shaver. For a safety razor, lather the face with _______ and _______ or _______ _______.

talcum powder soap, water shaving cream

pediculosis corporis

the infestation of the body with lice

pediculosis pubis

the infestation of the pubic hair with lice

pediculosis capitis

the infestation of the scalp with lice

Sometimes, you just trim the fingernails. Sometimes, you just give foot care. When you do both, the person sits at...

the over-bed table

When shampooing during the tub bath or shower, the person tips his or her head back to keep shampoo and water from getting in their eyes. Support the back of the person's head with one hand. Shampoo with your other hand. Some persons cannot tip their heads back. They lean forward and hold a folded washcloth over the eyes. Support the forehead with one hand. Shampoo with your other hand. Make sure they can breathe easily. Many people have limited range of motion in their necks. These people are not shampooed at...

the sink or on a stretcher

Some state agencies do not let nursing assistants cut or trim _______. Follow your state laws and agency policy.

toenails

Mustaches and beards need daily care. Food can collect in the whiskers. So can mouth and nose drainage. Daily washing and combing are needed. Ask the person how to groom his mustache or beard. What should you never do without the person's consent?

trim their mustache or beard

Brushing and combing hair are part of early morning care, morning care, and afternoon care. Some people also do so at bedtime. Provide hair care...

whenever it is needed before visitors arrive

When using a safety razor, rinse it often. Rinsing removes whiskers and lather. Then wipe the razor. What should you do to protect yourself from cuts?

wipe the razor blade with several thicknesses of paper towels