The daughter of an elderly man who resides at a long-term care facility has confronted the nurse with the fact that her father has not been receiving full baths on a frequent basis and has instead been receiving partial baths

Question

What is an acceptable rationale for providing partial baths rather than full baths to older adult clients? A) Partial baths are more time-efficient than full baths.
B) Partial baths deplete less of the client's skin oils than a full bath.
C) Partial baths are less disruptive to a client's daily routine.
D) Partial baths remove more dead skin and debris than a full bath.

Answer 1

B
Feedback:
A daily bath or shower is not always necessary; for older adults, who perspire less than younger adults and are prone to dry skin, frequent washing with soap depletes oil from the skin. Partial baths take less time, but this consideration alone does not necessarily justify the practice. Partial baths do not remove more skin debris than a full bath nor do they necessarily disrupt the client's routine less than a full bath.