Chapter 38: Hygiene Potter et al: Canadian
Fundamentals of Nursing, 6th Edition
A number of factors influence a patient's personal preferences for hygiene. Because of this, it is important for
the nurse to realize which of the following? Ans- No two individuals perform hygiene in the same manner.
2. Social groups influence hygiene preferences and practices, including the type of hygienic products used
and the nature and frequency of personal care. Which of the following developmental stages is most likely to
be influenced by family customs? Ans- Toddler.
3. The patient received a diagnosis of diabetes 12 years ago. When admitted today, the patient is unkempt
and is in need of a bath and foot care. When questioned about his hygiene habits, the patient tells the nurse
that baths are taken once a week where he comes from, although he takes a sponge bath every other day. To
provide ultimate care for this patient, what must the nurse understand? Ans- The patient's illness may
necessitate teaching of new hygiene practices.
4. The nurse is caring for a patient who refuses "A.M. care." When asked why, the patient tells the nurse that
she always bathes in the evening. What should the nurse do? Ans- Defer the bath until evening and pass on
the information to the next shift.
5. Successful critical thinking requires synthesis of knowledge, experience, information gathered from
patients, critical thinking qualities, and intellectual and professional standards. Once the assessment has
been done, what is it important for the nurse to understand? Ans- Critical thinking is ongoing.
6. When the nurse provides hygiene for an older patient, why is it important for the nurse to closely assess
the skin? Ans- As people age, less frequent bathing may be required.
7. The nurse is bathing a patient and notices movement in the patient's hair. What should the nurse do? Ans-
Use gloves or a tongue blade to inspect the hair.
8. When assessing a patient's skin, what does the nurse need to know? Ans- Moisture on the skin can lead to
skin maceration.
, 9. The nurse is caring for a patient who is immobile. Why is the nurse aware that the patient is at risk for
impaired skin integrity? Ans- Pressure reduces circulation to affected tissue.
10. The nurse is caring for a patient who has diabetes mellitus, circulatory insufficiency, peripheral
neuropathy, and urinary incontinence. What does the nurse know about patients with these conditions? Ans-
They have decreased pain sensation and are at increased risk of skin impairment.
11. The nurse is caring for a patient who has undergone external fixation of a broken leg and has a cast in
place. To prevent skin impairment, what should the nurse do? Ans- Assess all surfaces exposed to the cast for
pressure areas.
12. Of the following interventions, which would be the most important for preventing skin impairment in a
mobile patient with local nerve damage? Ans- During a bath, assess for pain.
13. Of the following disorders, which is caused by a virus? Ans- Plantar warts.
14. The nurse is caring for a patient who is complaining of severe foot pain caused by corns. The patient
states that she has been using oval corn pads to self-treat the corns, but they seem to be getting worse. What
does the nurse explain? Ans- Depending on severity, surgery may be needed to remove the corns.
15. The patient receives a diagnosis of athlete's foot (tinea pedis). The patient says that she is relieved
because it is "only athlete's foot" and it can be treated easily. What does the nurse explain about athlete's
foot? Ans- It is contagious and frequently recurs.
16. When assessing a patient's feet, the nurse notices that the toenails are thick and separated from the nail
bed. What causes this condition? Ans- Fungi
17. The nurse is providing education about proper foot care to a patient who has diabetes mellitus. Why is
this important? Ans- Foot ulcers are the most common precursor to amputation.
18. The nurse is providing oral care to an unconscious patient and notes that the patient has extremely bad
breath. What is the term for "bad breath"? Ans- Halitosis.
Fundamentals of Nursing, 6th Edition
A number of factors influence a patient's personal preferences for hygiene. Because of this, it is important for
the nurse to realize which of the following? Ans- No two individuals perform hygiene in the same manner.
2. Social groups influence hygiene preferences and practices, including the type of hygienic products used
and the nature and frequency of personal care. Which of the following developmental stages is most likely to
be influenced by family customs? Ans- Toddler.
3. The patient received a diagnosis of diabetes 12 years ago. When admitted today, the patient is unkempt
and is in need of a bath and foot care. When questioned about his hygiene habits, the patient tells the nurse
that baths are taken once a week where he comes from, although he takes a sponge bath every other day. To
provide ultimate care for this patient, what must the nurse understand? Ans- The patient's illness may
necessitate teaching of new hygiene practices.
4. The nurse is caring for a patient who refuses "A.M. care." When asked why, the patient tells the nurse that
she always bathes in the evening. What should the nurse do? Ans- Defer the bath until evening and pass on
the information to the next shift.
5. Successful critical thinking requires synthesis of knowledge, experience, information gathered from
patients, critical thinking qualities, and intellectual and professional standards. Once the assessment has
been done, what is it important for the nurse to understand? Ans- Critical thinking is ongoing.
6. When the nurse provides hygiene for an older patient, why is it important for the nurse to closely assess
the skin? Ans- As people age, less frequent bathing may be required.
7. The nurse is bathing a patient and notices movement in the patient's hair. What should the nurse do? Ans-
Use gloves or a tongue blade to inspect the hair.
8. When assessing a patient's skin, what does the nurse need to know? Ans- Moisture on the skin can lead to
skin maceration.
, 9. The nurse is caring for a patient who is immobile. Why is the nurse aware that the patient is at risk for
impaired skin integrity? Ans- Pressure reduces circulation to affected tissue.
10. The nurse is caring for a patient who has diabetes mellitus, circulatory insufficiency, peripheral
neuropathy, and urinary incontinence. What does the nurse know about patients with these conditions? Ans-
They have decreased pain sensation and are at increased risk of skin impairment.
11. The nurse is caring for a patient who has undergone external fixation of a broken leg and has a cast in
place. To prevent skin impairment, what should the nurse do? Ans- Assess all surfaces exposed to the cast for
pressure areas.
12. Of the following interventions, which would be the most important for preventing skin impairment in a
mobile patient with local nerve damage? Ans- During a bath, assess for pain.
13. Of the following disorders, which is caused by a virus? Ans- Plantar warts.
14. The nurse is caring for a patient who is complaining of severe foot pain caused by corns. The patient
states that she has been using oval corn pads to self-treat the corns, but they seem to be getting worse. What
does the nurse explain? Ans- Depending on severity, surgery may be needed to remove the corns.
15. The patient receives a diagnosis of athlete's foot (tinea pedis). The patient says that she is relieved
because it is "only athlete's foot" and it can be treated easily. What does the nurse explain about athlete's
foot? Ans- It is contagious and frequently recurs.
16. When assessing a patient's feet, the nurse notices that the toenails are thick and separated from the nail
bed. What causes this condition? Ans- Fungi
17. The nurse is providing education about proper foot care to a patient who has diabetes mellitus. Why is
this important? Ans- Foot ulcers are the most common precursor to amputation.
18. The nurse is providing oral care to an unconscious patient and notes that the patient has extremely bad
breath. What is the term for "bad breath"? Ans- Halitosis.
