Personal hygiene care

1: Assessing Your Patient; 2: Improving and Maintaining Oral Health; 3: Care of the Eyes; 4: Ear Care; 5: Foot and Nail Care; 6: Hair Care and Grooming; 7: Methods of Washing; 8: Skin Care;

Meeting the hygiene needs of patients is a fundamental aspect of nursing care. This practical and introductory guide outlines and emphasises the nursing skills required to meet the essential personal hygiene care needs of patients in various healthcare settings. It explores care of the eyes, ears, mouth, nails and hair, and provides evidence-based rationales for each procedure. Methods of washing the patient are discussed, and bed-making and patient positioning is explored. Each chapter provides the necessary anatomy and physiology, as well as common conditions, safety issues, privacy and dignity, cultural and religious considerations and infection control issues.