When providing perineal care to a male patient the nurse places the patient in which position

1. The nurse is delegating to nursing assistive personnel (NAP) the perineal care of a female patient who is totally dependent and confined to bed. Which statement by the NAP requires the nurse's follow-up?

INCORRECT. Positioning a totally dependent patient is likely to require more than one person, so this statement requires no follow-up.

INCORRECT. It is appropriate to evaluate the patient's ability and willingness to have the care performed at this time, so this statement requires no follow-up.

INCORRECT. Observing the patient's perineal area for signs of skin damage or discharge is appropriate, so this statement requires no follow-up.

CORRECT. To minimize skin irritation, warm water and mild soap should be used when cleansing the perineal area, so this statement requires the nurse's follow-up.

2. The nurse is preparing to provide perineal care for a female patient who is on bed rest. Which patient position should the nurse use for this care?

Supine
Prone
Side-lying
Dorsal recumbent

INCORRECT. The supine position is not used when performing perineal care.

INCORRECT. The prone position is not used when performing perineal care.

INCORRECT. The side-lying position is not used when performing perineal care.

CORRECT. Dorsal recumbent is the correct patient position to use when performing perineal care.

3. As the nurse is preparing to provide perineal care to a female patient with limited mobility, the patient says, "I can do that myself." Which action would be the priority?

INCORRECT. Although it is a nursing responsibility to provide all the items necessary for the patient to perform this task, doing so would not take priority over assessing the patient's ability to perform perineal care.

CORRECT. Determining the appropriateness of self-care by assessing the patient's ability to provide her own perineal care is the priority action.

INCORRECT. Although it is a nursing responsibility to ensure the patient's privacy during perineal care, doing so would not take priority over assessing the patient's ability to perform this task.

INCORRECT. Although documenting patient complaints is a nursing responsibility, doing so would not take priority over assessing the patient's ability to provide her own perineal care.

5. The nurse is delegating a female patient's perineal care to nursing assistive personnel (NAP). What instruction would the nurse give to ensure the NAP's safety while performing this care?

INCORRECT. Wearing sterile gloves is not necessary to ensure the NAP's safety while performing perineal care.

CORRECT. Wearing clean gloves is the best way to ensure the NAP's safety while performing perineal care.

INCORRECT. Wearing an isolation gown is not necessary to ensure the NAP's safety while performing perineal care.

INCORRECT. Using hot water would not ensure the NAP's safety while performing perineal care, and doing so could be harmful to the patient.

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