🧼 “Clean body, clear mind, faster recovery.”
🩺 Personal hygiene is an essential aspect of basic nursing care that promotes health, dignity, comfort, and infection prevention.
🗨️ Personal hygiene refers to the practice of maintaining cleanliness of the body and its parts to promote health and prevent illness.
In nursing, it involves assisting or guiding patients in maintaining hygiene when they are unable or partially able to care for themselves.
✅ Promote comfort and well-being
✅ Prevent body odor, infections, and bedsores
✅ Stimulate circulation and relaxation
✅ Observe for abnormalities or changes in health
✅ Encourage independence and self-esteem
| 🔢 Type | 📖 Description |
|---|---|
| 🧽 Skin Care/Bathing | Daily cleansing of body to remove sweat, dirt, bacteria |
| 🪥 Oral Hygiene | Brushing, rinsing, and cleaning the mouth, gums, and tongue |
| 💇 Hair Care | Brushing, washing, scalp care, lice check |
| 👃 Nasal Care | Clearing nasal passages; especially important for oxygen users |
| 👂 Ear Care | Cleaning outer ears, checking for wax or discharge |
| ✋ Hand & Nail Care | Cleaning hands, cutting nails, checking for infection |
| 🧦 Foot Care | Cleaning, inspecting for wounds (especially in diabetics) |
| 🧻 Perineal Care | Cleaning genital and anal areas, especially in catheterized or bedridden patients |
| 🧴 Back Care | Massage and inspection to prevent pressure ulcers in bed-bound patients |
| 🧼 Eye Care | Wiping from inner to outer canthus, especially in unconscious patients |
🔹 Assess patient’s ability to perform self-care
🔹 Maintain privacy and dignity during hygiene care
🔹 Use standard precautions (gloves, clean equipment)
🔹 Be gentle but thorough
🔹 Monitor skin, mucosa, nails for any changes
🔹 Document care given and abnormal findings
🔹 Educate patient about importance of hygiene
| 🧼 Procedure | ✅ Description |
|---|---|
| 🛁 Bed Bath/Sponge Bath | For immobile patients; includes complete or partial cleansing |
| 🪥 Oral Care | Done twice a day; also for unconscious patients using oral swabs |
| 💦 Perineal Care | Prevents infection, especially in catheterized or postnatal patients |
| 🧼 Hair Washing | Done with shampoo cap or basin in bed-bound cases |
| 🦶 Foot Soak | For diabetic or elderly patients with poor circulation |
| 💅 Nail Trimming | Avoided in diabetics unless prescribed; done to prevent injury |
🔸 Use mild soap for sensitive or elderly skin
🔸 Avoid fragrance-based products in allergic patients
🔸 Use non-alcoholic mouthwash in mucositis
🔸 Inspect for pressure areas during back care
🔸 Maintain water temperature between 37°C to 43°C for bathing
| 👩⚕️ Case | 🧾 Importance |
|---|---|
| 👵 Elderly | Fragile skin, reduced mobility, dementia |
| 🤒 ICU/Comatose | Full care needed; infection prevention critical |
| 🤰 Postnatal | Perineal care prevents puerperal infections |
| 🧑🦽 Orthopedic patients | Need help with dressing, toileting |
| 🦶 Diabetics | Inspect feet daily to prevent ulcers/infection |
✅ Q: Why is perineal care important in catheterized patients?
🅰️ To prevent urinary tract infections
✅ Q: What temperature should water be for a bed bath?
🅰️ 37°C to 43°C
✅ Q: Which direction should eyes be cleaned?
🅰️ From inner to outer canthus
✅ Q: What is the main purpose of back care?
🅰️ To prevent pressure ulcers and promote circulation
✅ Q: What should be avoided during nail care in diabetics?
🅰️ Cutting nails without doctor’s advice
📋 “Assisted patient with complete bed bath. Skin intact, no signs of redness. Oral cavity cleaned; no lesions noted. Fingernails trimmed. Patient tolerated procedure well and expressed comfort.”
🛁 “Bathing is not just for hygiene — it’s therapeutic, relaxing, and healing.”
🗨️ A bath in nursing refers to a method of cleansing the body or a part of the body using water (with or without additives) at a specific temperature, based on the patient’s need, condition, or therapy.
| 🔢 Type of Bath | 🌡️ Temp | 💧 Purpose / Use | 📝 Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🛁 Cold Bath | 15–24°C (59–75°F) | 🔹 Reduce body temp 🔹 Relieve fatigue | Used in fever, heat stroke, restlessness |
| 🌡️ Tepid Sponge Bath | 27–32°C (80–90°F) | 🔹 Reduce mild fever 🔹 For unconscious/infants | Frequently used for pyrexia management |
| 🧖 Hot Bath | 40–45°C (104–113°F) | 🔹 Relieve pain 🔹 Induce sweating | Avoid in cardiac patients, monitor carefully |
| 💧 Warm Bath | 37–40°C (98.6–104°F) | 🔹 General hygiene 🔹 Comfort 🔹 Relaxation | Most common type of bath |
| 🌬️ Cold Sponge Bath | 20–30°C (68–86°F) | 🔹 Lower high fever quickly | Given to conscious patients with high-grade fever |
| 🛏️ Bed Bath (Warm) | 37–43°C (98.6–109°F) | 🔹 Maintain hygiene for bed-bound patients | Full or partial, ensure privacy |
| 🛀 Sitz Bath | 40–45°C (104–113°F) | 🔹 Relieve perineal pain/swelling 🔹 Improve circulation | Used post-delivery, hemorrhoids, anal surgery |
| 🧼 Medicated Bath | Varies | 🔹 Skin diseases (eczema, psoriasis) 🔹 Anti-infective care | Water mixed with antiseptic or medicated solutions |
| 🧊 Ice Cap Bath / Ice Pack | 0–10°C (32–50°F) | 🔹 Manage hyperthermia 🔹 Reduce swelling or inflammation | Monitor closely for chilling or shivering |
| 🧴 Alcohol Sponge Bath | Alcohol + lukewarm water | 🔹 Cooling effect via evaporation | Used in severe pyrexia, not preferred in children |
🔹 Always check water temperature with thermometer before starting
🔹 Maintain privacy and comfort
🔹 Observe for shivering, cyanosis, pallor, pain
🔹 Document type of bath, time, response, temp
🔹 Avoid hot baths in cardiac or hypertensive patients
🔹 Cold baths may be stimulating and reduce inflammation
✅ Q: What is the temperature range for a hot bath?
🅰️ 40–45°C
✅ Q: Which bath is used for perineal pain and post-delivery care?
🅰️ Sitz bath
✅ Q: Tepid sponge bath is commonly used for?
🅰️ Fever management
✅ Q: What is the therapeutic use of a medicated bath?
🅰️ Treatment of skin conditions
✅ Q: Why should alcohol baths be avoided in children?
🅰️ Risk of skin irritation and systemic absorption
🩺 “Turn, inspect, protect — the golden rule to prevent pressure sores.”
📚 Pressure ulcers, also called bedsores or decubitus ulcers, are preventable with vigilant nursing care and skin monitoring.
🗨️ A pressure ulcer is a localized injury to the skin and/or underlying tissue over a bony prominence, caused by unrelieved pressure, shear, or friction — often seen in immobile or critically ill patients.
| ⚠️ Risk Factor | 📝 Explanation |
|---|---|
| 🛌 Immobility | Paralysis, coma, sedation, fractures |
| 🦴 Bony Prominences | Sacrum, heels, elbows, hips, scapula, occiput |
| 💧 Moisture | Incontinence, perspiration, wound drainage |
| 🍽️ Poor Nutrition | Low protein → delayed healing |
| 💉 Circulatory Issues | Diabetes, vascular disease |
| 🎂 Elderly Age | Thin skin, reduced sensation |
| 🧠 Neurological Deficit | Stroke, spinal injury → decreased pain response |
| 🔢 Stage | 📖 Description |
|---|---|
| 🟥 Stage I | Red, non-blanchable intact skin |
| 🟠 Stage II | Partial-thickness skin loss, blister/abrasion |
| 🟡 Stage III | Full-thickness skin loss, visible fat |
| 🟣 Stage IV | Deep tissue loss, exposed bone/muscle/tendon |
| ⚫ Unstageable | Covered with slough or eschar; depth not visible |
| ⚠️ Suspected Deep Tissue Injury | Purple/maroon area, damage under intact skin |
✅ Turn patient every 2 hours
✅ Use 30° lateral tilt rather than full side-lying
✅ Avoid dragging (causes shear)
✅ Pressure-relieving mattresses (air-fluidized, foam, gel)
✅ Heel protectors, cushions, egg crate mattress
✅ Pillows to offload bony areas
✅ Inspect skin daily, especially high-risk areas
✅ Keep skin clean, dry, moisturized
✅ Avoid vigorous rubbing or massaging over bony points
✅ Use absorbent pads, barrier creams
✅ Promptly change wet linen
✅ Treat incontinence with proper hygiene and skin protection
✅ High-protein, high-calorie diet
✅ Supplements: zinc, vitamin C, fluids
✅ Refer to dietitian for malnourished patients
✅ Teach importance of frequent position changes
✅ Encourage early mobility & exercise
✅ Demonstrate pressure-relief techniques
✅ Braden Scale – Most commonly used
✅ Assesses:
🔸 Score ≤18 indicates high risk
| 🧪 Category | 🔢 Score Range | 📝 Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣ Sensory Perception | 1 – 4 | Ability to respond meaningfully to discomfort |
| 2️⃣ Moisture | 1 – 4 | Degree to which skin is exposed to moisture |
| 3️⃣ Activity | 1 – 4 | Level of physical activity |
| 4️⃣ Mobility | 1 – 4 | Ability to change and control body position |
| 5️⃣ Nutrition | 1 – 4 | Usual food intake pattern |
| 6️⃣ Friction & Shear | 1 – 3 | Degree of sliding or rubbing |
| 🟨 Total Score | ⚠️ Risk Level |
|---|---|
| 15 – 18 | Mild Risk |
| 13 – 14 | Moderate Risk |
| 10 – 12 | High Risk |
| ≤ 9 | Very High Risk |
| 🧩 Component | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sensory Perception | Completely limited | Very limited | Slightly limited | No impairment |
| Moisture | Constantly moist | Often moist | Occasionally moist | Rarely moist |
| Activity | Bedfast | Chairfast | Walks occasionally | Walks frequently |
| Mobility | Completely immobile | Very limited | Slightly limited | No limitations |
| Nutrition | Very poor | Probably inadequate | Adequate | Excellent |
| Friction & Shear | Problem | Potential problem | No apparent problem | ✖️ (Max 3) |
✅ Total Score: _______
✍️ Nurse Signature: _____________________
📆 Date: ___________________
📝 “Patient turned every 2 hrs using 30° lateral tilt. Sacral area intact. Skin warm, dry, and non-blanchable erythema absent. Braden score = 15. Barrier cream applied post incontinence care. Nutritional intake monitored.”
✅ Q: How often should a bed-ridden patient be repositioned?
🅰️ Every 2 hours
✅ Q: Which tool is used to assess pressure sore risk?
🅰️ Braden Scale
✅ Q: What is the earliest sign of a pressure ulcer?
🅰️ Non-blanchable redness (Stage I)
✅ Q: Which nutrient promotes pressure sore healing?
🅰️ Protein
✅ Q: Where is the most common site for pressure ulcers?
🅰️ Sacrum
🛏️ “Silent patients need the loudest care.”
🗨️ An unconscious patient is unaware of self and environment, with no meaningful response to stimuli. This may be temporary or permanent depending on the condition.
✅ Ensure airway patency (use oropharyngeal airway)
✅ Monitor SpO₂, respiratory rate
✅ Suction oral secretions as needed
✅ Position patient in lateral (recovery) position if not contraindicated
✅ Monitor BP, HR, capillary refill
✅ Maintain IV access and fluid therapy
✅ Watch for signs of shock or poor perfusion
✅ Provide complete bed bath, oral care every 2–4 hrs
✅ Frequent perineal care if incontinent
✅ Turn patient every 2 hours to prevent bedsores
✅ Use Braden Scale to assess risk
✅ Apply barrier creams, reposition with pillows
✅ Use normal saline or prescribed eye drops
✅ Keep eyes closed with gauze if blinking absent
✅ Prevent corneal dryness or ulcers
✅ Use soft oral swabs or toothbrush
✅ Remove secretions and prevent aspiration pneumonia
✅ Apply lip balm or petroleum jelly
✅ Monitor:
✅ Document neurological changes promptly
✅ Provide enteral feeding (e.g., Ryle’s tube) as per doctor’s order
✅ Monitor intake/output
✅ Ensure bladder care – catheter if necessary
✅ Monitor bowel movements – prevent constipation
✅ Explain all procedures to the patient (hearing may remain intact)
✅ Talk to patient reassuringly
✅ Involve family in care and updates
✅ Encourage touch and communication from loved ones
| 🧱 Problem | 🛡️ Prevention |
|---|---|
| Pressure sores | Turn 2-hourly, skin care |
| Aspiration | Elevate head, proper feeding |
| Contractures | ROM exercises, splints |
| Eye dryness | Lubricants, protect with gauze |
| Pneumonia | Chest physiotherapy, suctioning |
✅ Q: What is the first priority in an unconscious patient?
🅰️ Maintain airway patency
✅ Q: Which scale is used to assess pressure ulcer risk?
🅰️ Braden Scale
✅ Q: How often should oral care be provided to unconscious patients?
🅰️ Every 2–4 hours
✅ Q: What is the ideal position to prevent aspiration in unconscious patients?
🅰️ Lateral (side-lying) position
✅ Q: What should be used to assess consciousness level?
🅰️ Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)
🛁 “Bathing is not just for hygiene — it’s therapeutic, relaxing, and healing.”
🗨️ A bath in nursing refers to a method of cleansing the body or a part of the body using water (with or without additives) at a specific temperature, based on the patient’s need, condition, or therapy.
| 🔢 Type of Bath | 🌡️ Temp | 💧 Purpose / Use | 📝 Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🛁 Cold Bath | 15–24°C (59–75°F) | 🔹 Reduce body temp 🔹 Relieve fatigue | Used in fever, heat stroke, restlessness |
| 🌡️ Tepid Sponge Bath | 27–32°C (80–90°F) | 🔹 Reduce mild fever 🔹 For unconscious/infants | Frequently used for pyrexia management |
| 🧖 Hot Bath | 40–45°C (104–113°F) | 🔹 Relieve pain 🔹 Induce sweating | Avoid in cardiac patients, monitor carefully |
| 💧 Warm Bath | 37–40°C (98.6–104°F) | 🔹 General hygiene 🔹 Comfort 🔹 Relaxation | Most common type of bath |
| 🌬️ Cold Sponge Bath | 20–30°C (68–86°F) | 🔹 Lower high fever quickly | Given to conscious patients with high-grade fever |
| 🛏️ Bed Bath (Warm) | 37–43°C (98.6–109°F) | 🔹 Maintain hygiene for bed-bound patients | Full or partial, ensure privacy |
| 🛀 Sitz Bath | 40–45°C (104–113°F) | 🔹 Relieve perineal pain/swelling 🔹 Improve circulation | Used post-delivery, hemorrhoids, anal surgery |
| 🧼 Medicated Bath | Varies | 🔹 Skin diseases (eczema, psoriasis) 🔹 Anti-infective care | Water mixed with antiseptic or medicated solutions |
| 🧊 Ice Cap Bath / Ice Pack | 0–10°C (32–50°F) | 🔹 Manage hyperthermia 🔹 Reduce swelling or inflammation | Monitor closely for chilling or shivering |
| 🧴 Alcohol Sponge Bath | Alcohol + lukewarm water | 🔹 Cooling effect via evaporation | Used in severe pyrexia, not preferred in children |
🔹 Always check water temperature with thermometer before starting
🔹 Maintain privacy and comfort
🔹 Observe for shivering, cyanosis, pallor, pain
🔹 Document type of bath, time, response, temp
🔹 Avoid hot baths in cardiac or hypertensive patients
🔹 Cold baths may be stimulating and reduce inflammation
✅ Q: What is the temperature range for a hot bath?
🅰️ 40–45°C
✅ Q: Which bath is used for perineal pain and post-delivery care?
🅰️ Sitz bath
✅ Q: Tepid sponge bath is commonly used for?
🅰️ Fever management
✅ Q: What is the therapeutic use of a medicated bath?
🅰️ Treatment of skin conditions
✅ Q: Why should alcohol baths be avoided in children?
🅰️ Risk of skin irritation and systemic absorption
🦟 “Tiny pests, big discomfort — treat early, treat effectively.”
🗨️ Pediculosis is a parasitic infestation of the skin or scalp caused by lice, most commonly by Pediculus humanus capitis (head louse), Pediculus humanus corporis (body louse), or Pthirus pubis (pubic louse)
| 🪳 Type | 🧠 Site Affected |
|---|---|
| 🧠 Pediculosis capitis | Scalp/hairline |
| 👕 Pediculosis corporis | Body and clothes |
| 🩲 Pediculosis pubis (crabs) | Genital area, eyebrows, armpits |
✅ Intense itching, especially behind ears & scalp
✅ Redness, rash, sores due to scratching
✅ Visible nits (eggs) stuck to hair shafts
✅ Tickling feeling in hair
✅ Secondary bacterial infection may occur
| 💉 Treatment | 📝 Description |
|---|---|
| 🧴 Permethrin 1% cream | Apply to scalp, rinse after 10 mins (first-line) |
| 💧 Malathion lotion | For resistant lice (prescription) |
| 💊 Oral Ivermectin | For body lice or failed topical therapy |
| 🧼 Lindane shampoo (limited use) | Toxic, not preferred for children/pregnant women |
✅ Comb wet hair with fine-tooth lice comb daily
✅ Wash clothes, pillowcases, combs in hot water
✅ Avoid sharing combs, caps, bedding
✅ Keep fingernails short to avoid secondary infection
✅ Inspect close contacts and family
✅ Educate on hygiene and early detection
📝 “Scalp inspection reveals visible nits. Permethrin shampoo applied. Education given on hygiene and prevention. Linen changed and laundered. Follow-up planned in 7 days.”
✅ Q: First-line drug for head lice?
🅰️ Permethrin 1%
✅ Q: Where are lice eggs (nits) seen in pediculosis capitis?
🅰️ Hair shafts near the scalp
✅ Q: One key nursing action after treating lice?
🅰️ Disinfect linen and personal items
🦷 “A healthy mouth means a healthy body.”
📚 Oral hygiene problems are common in hospitalized, unconscious, elderly, or post-surgical patients — and need regular nursing care to prevent infections and promote comfort.
🗨️ Oral hygiene problems are abnormal conditions affecting the mouth, teeth, gums, tongue, or lips, often caused by poor hygiene, infection, or systemic illness.
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✅ Inspect mouth daily (use light & gloves)
✅ Provide oral hygiene every 8 hours or as needed
✅ Use soft-bristle brush or swabs
✅ Administer prescribed medications or rinses
✅ Educate patient on oral care techniques
✅ Document findings, interventions, and patient response
✅ Q: White patches on tongue indicate which condition?
🅰️ Oral thrush
✅ Q: What is the most common cause of halitosis?
🅰️ Poor oral hygiene
✅ Q: Which mouthwash is used for gingivitis?
🅰️ Chlorhexidine
✅ Q: Which condition is commonly seen in chemotherapy patients?
🅰️ Stomatitis
✅ Q: Nursing action for dry mouth?
🅰️ Frequent sips of water and lip balm