Hygiene Practice Questions with Rationale
A nurse is bathing a patient who has a fever. Why should the nurse use tepid
water for this procedure?
A. Increases heat loss
B. Removes surface debris
C. Reduces surface tension of skin
D. Stimulates peripheral circulation - CORRECT ANSWER-Answer: A
Heat is transferred from the warm surface of the skin ti the water that is in direct
contact with the body, and evaporation of the water promotes cooling. Tepid
water is slightly below body temperature, and a person with a fever has an
elevated body temperature (febrile).
A nurse must make the decision to give a patient a full or partial bed bath. Which
is the most important for the basis of this decision?
A. Primary health-care provider's order for the patient's activity
B. Immediate need of the patient
C.Time of the patient's last bath
D. Patient preference - CORRECT ANSWER-Answer: B
A total patient assessment with an analysis of the data identifies the needs of the
patient and the appropriate intervention to meet those needs
A patient has a nasogastric tube to decompress the stomach for 3 days and is
scheduled for intestinal surgery in the morning. For which of the following is the
patient at the greatest risk?
A. Physical injury
B. Ineffective social interaction
C. Decreased nutritional intake
D. Altered oral mucus membrane - CORRECT ANSWER-Answer: D
Not drinking anything by mouth and having a tube through the nose and posterior
pharynx can result in drying of the oral mucus membranes and a coated,
furrowed tongue.
A patient is incontinent of urine and stool. For which patient response should the
nurse be most concerned?
A.Impaired skin integrity
, B. Altered sexuality
C.Dehydration
D. Confusion - CORRECT ANSWER-Answer: A
Fecal matter contains enzymes that erode the skin, and urine is an acidic fluid
that macerates the skin. As a result, altered skin integrity is a serious concern.
A nurse is giving a patient a bed bath. Which nursing action is most important?
A. Lower the 2 side rails om the working side of the bed
B. Ensure that the bath water is at least 110 degrees Fahrenheit
C. Fold the washcloth like a mitt on the hand
D. Raise the bed to the highest position - CORRECT ANSWER-Answer: B
The temperature of bath water should be between 110 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit
to promote comfort, dilate blood vessels, and prevent chilling. A lower
temperature can cause chilling, and a higher temperature can cause skin trauma.
A nurse plans to give a patient a back rub. Which is the product the nurse should
use foe this intervention.
A. Baby powder
B. Rubbing alcohol
C. Moisturizing lotion
D. Antimicrobial cream - CORRECT ANSWER-Answer: C
Moisturizing lotion lubricates the skin and reduces friction between the nurses
hands and patients back. Lotion facilitates smooth movement of the hands
across the patients skin, which is relaxing and -prevents trauma to the skin. The
use of a moisturizing lotion for a back rub does not require a primary health- care
provider's order
A nurse changes the linen of a bed while the patient sits in a chair. Of the options
presents, which is the most important nursing action when changing bed linens.
A. Ensuring the hem of the bottom sheet is facing the mattress
B. Arranging the linen in the order in which it is to be used
C. Shifting the mattress up to the headboard of the bed
D. Checking the soiled bed linen for personal items - CORRECT
ANSWER-Answer: D
A nurse must take reasonable precautions to ensure that a patient's personal
belongings, especially eyeglasses, dentures, and prosthetic devices are kept
A nurse is bathing a patient who has a fever. Why should the nurse use tepid
water for this procedure?
A. Increases heat loss
B. Removes surface debris
C. Reduces surface tension of skin
D. Stimulates peripheral circulation - CORRECT ANSWER-Answer: A
Heat is transferred from the warm surface of the skin ti the water that is in direct
contact with the body, and evaporation of the water promotes cooling. Tepid
water is slightly below body temperature, and a person with a fever has an
elevated body temperature (febrile).
A nurse must make the decision to give a patient a full or partial bed bath. Which
is the most important for the basis of this decision?
A. Primary health-care provider's order for the patient's activity
B. Immediate need of the patient
C.Time of the patient's last bath
D. Patient preference - CORRECT ANSWER-Answer: B
A total patient assessment with an analysis of the data identifies the needs of the
patient and the appropriate intervention to meet those needs
A patient has a nasogastric tube to decompress the stomach for 3 days and is
scheduled for intestinal surgery in the morning. For which of the following is the
patient at the greatest risk?
A. Physical injury
B. Ineffective social interaction
C. Decreased nutritional intake
D. Altered oral mucus membrane - CORRECT ANSWER-Answer: D
Not drinking anything by mouth and having a tube through the nose and posterior
pharynx can result in drying of the oral mucus membranes and a coated,
furrowed tongue.
A patient is incontinent of urine and stool. For which patient response should the
nurse be most concerned?
A.Impaired skin integrity
, B. Altered sexuality
C.Dehydration
D. Confusion - CORRECT ANSWER-Answer: A
Fecal matter contains enzymes that erode the skin, and urine is an acidic fluid
that macerates the skin. As a result, altered skin integrity is a serious concern.
A nurse is giving a patient a bed bath. Which nursing action is most important?
A. Lower the 2 side rails om the working side of the bed
B. Ensure that the bath water is at least 110 degrees Fahrenheit
C. Fold the washcloth like a mitt on the hand
D. Raise the bed to the highest position - CORRECT ANSWER-Answer: B
The temperature of bath water should be between 110 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit
to promote comfort, dilate blood vessels, and prevent chilling. A lower
temperature can cause chilling, and a higher temperature can cause skin trauma.
A nurse plans to give a patient a back rub. Which is the product the nurse should
use foe this intervention.
A. Baby powder
B. Rubbing alcohol
C. Moisturizing lotion
D. Antimicrobial cream - CORRECT ANSWER-Answer: C
Moisturizing lotion lubricates the skin and reduces friction between the nurses
hands and patients back. Lotion facilitates smooth movement of the hands
across the patients skin, which is relaxing and -prevents trauma to the skin. The
use of a moisturizing lotion for a back rub does not require a primary health- care
provider's order
A nurse changes the linen of a bed while the patient sits in a chair. Of the options
presents, which is the most important nursing action when changing bed linens.
A. Ensuring the hem of the bottom sheet is facing the mattress
B. Arranging the linen in the order in which it is to be used
C. Shifting the mattress up to the headboard of the bed
D. Checking the soiled bed linen for personal items - CORRECT
ANSWER-Answer: D
A nurse must take reasonable precautions to ensure that a patient's personal
belongings, especially eyeglasses, dentures, and prosthetic devices are kept
