Which is a beneficial approach to hygienic care for a patient with dementia?

Question

a. Schedule the patient's full shower at 7 AM 3 mornings every week.
b. Have a team give the bath together with each member washing a different body area.
c. Wash the perineal region first to remove potentially infectious material.
d. Explain each step as you go, and keep the patient covered as much as possible while bathing.

Answer 1

D

Feedback
A Incorrect. From the point of view of the well-being of the patient, bathing is rarely such an emergency that it must be performed at a time when the patient is not receptive.
B Incorrect. Stimulation should be kept simple and focused, and avoid alarming the patient.
C Incorrect. The most sensitive and intimate areas should be washed last, after trust has been established between the patient and the nurse (which may have to be done anew at every encounter). From an infection-control standpoint, wash-ing occurs from clean to dirty areas.
D Correct. Undressing for bathing can be interpreted as assault by a person with dementia. It should be performed in a way that minimizes the intrusive and ex-posing aspects and maintains trust between the person and the caregiver.