02
Grooming Grooming measures:
Are important to many people
Prevent infection and promote comfort
Address love, belonging, and self-esteem needs
People differ in their grooming measures.
The person should tend to his or her own grooming measures to the extent possible.
The person may use adaptive devices for grooming. Copyright © 2017, Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. 2<br>
04
Hair Care (Cont.) Skin and scalp conditions
Alopecia means hair loss.
Male pattern baldness occurs with aging.
Hair also thins in some women with aging.
Other causes include cancer treatments, skin disease, stress, poor nutrition, pregnancy, some drugs, and hormone changes.
Hirsutism is excessive body hair.
It can occur in men, women, and children from heredity and abnormal amounts of male hormones.
Dandruff is the excessive amount of dry, white flakes from the scalp. Copyright © 2017, Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. 4<br>
05
Hair Care (Cont.) Pediculosis (lice) is the infestation with wingless insects.
Pediculosis capitis is the infestation of the scalp with lice.
Pediculosis pubis is the infestation of the pubic hair with lice.
Pediculosis corporis is the infestation of the body with lice.
Report signs and symptoms of lice to the nurse at once.
Complaints of a tickling feeling or something moving in the hair
Itching
Irritability
Sores on the head or body caused by scratching
Rash Copyright © 2017, Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. 5<br>
06
Hair Care (Cont.) Scabies is a skin disorder caused by a female mite.
The female mite burrows into the skin and lays eggs.
The person has a rash and intense itching.
Scabies is highly contagious.
Persons at risk include those living in crowded living settings and those with weakened immune systems. Copyright © 2017, Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. 6<br>
07
Hair Care (Cont.) Brushing and combing hair
Encourage patients and residents to do their own hair care.
Assist as needed.
Provide hair care for those who cannot do so.
The person chooses how to brush, comb, and style hair.
Brushing and combing prevent tangled and matted hair.
To brush and comb hair, start at the scalp. Then brush or comb to the hair ends. Copyright © 2017, Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. 7<br>
08
Hair Care (Cont.) Do not braid hair without the person’s consent.
Never cut matted or tangled hair.
Special measures are needed for curly, coarse, and dry hair.
The person’s hair care practices and products are part of the care plan. Copyright © 2017, Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. 8<br>
09
Shampooing Many factors affect frequency, including:
The condition of the hair and scalp
Hairstyle
Personal choice
Shampoo hair when the nurse tells you to.
The nurse tells you what method to use.
The shampoo method depends on:
The person’s condition
Safety factors
Personal choice Copyright © 2017, Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. 9<br>
10
Shampooing (Cont.) Shampoo methods include:
During the shower or tub bath
At the sink
On a stretcher
In bed
Hair is dried and styled as quickly as possible after the shampoo.
Check with the nurse before curling or rolling up hair. Copyright © 2017, Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. 10<br>
11
Shaving Many men shave for comfort and mental well-being.
Many women:
Shave their legs and underarms
Shave facial hair
Use other hair-removal methods
Waxing, hair removal products, plucking, threading Copyright © 2017, Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. 11<br>
12
Shaving (Cont.) Safety razors or electric shavers are used.
Follow agency policy for cleaning electric shavers.
Safety razors are not used on persons who:
Have healing problems
Take anticoagulant drugs
Soften the beard before shaving.
Mustaches and beards need daily care.
Ask the person how to groom his mustache or beard.
Never trim a mustache or beard without the person’s consent. Copyright © 2017, Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. 12<br>
13
Nail and Foot Care Nail and foot care prevents infection, injury, and odors.
Hangnails, ingrown nails, and nails torn away from the skin cause skin breaks.
Long or broken nails can scratch skin or snag clothing.
Dirty feet, socks, or stockings harbor microbes and cause odors. Copyright © 2017, Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. 13<br>
14
Nail and Foot Care (Cont.) Injuries occur from:
Stubbing toes
Stepping on sharp objects
Being stepped on
Shoes that fit poorly
Poor circulation prolongs healing.
Infections or foot injuries are very serious for older persons and persons with circulatory disorders. Copyright © 2017, Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. 14<br>
15
Nail and Foot Care (Cont.) Trimming and clipping toenails can easily cause injuries.
Use nail clippers to cut fingernails.
Never use scissors.
Some agencies do not let nursing assistants cut or trim toenails.
Follow agency policy. Copyright © 2017, Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. 15<br>
16
Changing Clothing and Hospital Gowns You may need to assist with changing garments.
Follow these rules:
Provide for privacy.
Encourage the person to do as much as possible.
Let the person choose what to wear.
Make sure garments and footwear are the correct size.
Remove clothing from the strong or “good” side first.
Put clothing on the weak side first.
Support the arm or leg when removing or putting on a garment. Copyright © 2017, Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. 16<br>
17
Changing Clothing and Hospital Gowns (Cont.) Changing hospital gowns
Gowns are usually worn for IV therapy.
Some agencies have special gowns for IV therapy that open along the sleeve and close with ties, snaps, or Velcro.
Sometimes standard gowns are used.
If there is injury or paralysis:
Remove the gown from the strong arm first.
Support the weak arm while removing the gown.
Put the clean gown on the weak arm first and then on the strong arm. Copyright © 2017, Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. 17<br>
