Question

When preparing to give a back massage, what should the nurse assistant do before applying on the medical lotion to the resident's skin?

Answer 1

Before applying medical lotion for a back massage, the nurse assistant should practice proper hand hygiene, which includes thoroughly washing hands with soap and using lukewarm water, and also ensuring to use alcohol-free and non-irritating products on the skin.

Step-by-step explanation:

When preparing to give a back massage, the nurse assistant should perform proper hand hygiene before applying any medical lotion to the resident's skin. This includes washing hands thoroughly, which involves:

• Lathering your hands by rubbing them together with soap, making sure to cover the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
• Applying about 5 mL (1 teaspoon) of liquid soap and rubbing it over the hands for at least 20 seconds, paying special attention to commonly missed areas such as thumbs, wrists, areas between fingers, and under the fingernails.
• Rinsing hands with lukewarm water.

Furthermore, it is important to use only alcohol-free products on the skin to prevent irritation and to avoid products that irritate the skin, such as harsh astringents or exfoliants.