Question

The nurse is teaching nursing assistive personnel (NAP) how to give a complete bed bath. Which instruction should the nurse include?

1) Cleanse only those areas likely to cause odor.
2) Provide the patient with warm water for washing his perineum.
3) Wash the patients back, buttocks, and perineum first.
4) Bathe the patient from head-to-toe, cleanest areas first.

Answer 1

When giving a complete bed bath, the nurse should instruct the NAP to wash the patient from head-to-toe, beginning with the cleanest areas. Warm water should be provided for washing the perineum, and proper hand washing is essential for preventing infections.

Step-by-step explanation:

When teaching nursing assistive personnel (NAP) how to give a complete bed bath, the nurse should include the instruction to bathe the patient from head-to-toe, starting with the cleanest areas first. This approach ensures that the areas less likely to harbor bacteria, such as the face and arms, are washed first, followed by areas that potentially can have more contamination. For example, cleaning the patient's perineum would be done towards the end of the bath, using warm water for comfort and to help maintain the patient's dignity and prevent infection.

Keeping the skin clean is crucial for infection prevention, as unwashed skin can collect sweat, oils, dirt, and bacteria, leading to increased risk of infection and body odor. Proper hand washing, especially for healthcare workers, is vital and involves using soap, warm water, and a thorough technique to wash the hands to prevent the transfer of pathogens. In all cases, warm water is favored in healthcare settings for both patient care and infection control.