The patient has been diagnosed with diabetes. When admitted, the patient is unkempt and is in need of a bath and foot care. When questioned about hygiene habits, the nurse learns the patient takes a bath once a week and a sponge bath every other day. To provide ultimate care for this patient, which principle should the nurse keep in mind?
A) Patients who appear unkempt place little importance on hygiene practices.
B) Personal preferences determine hygiene practices and are unchangeable.
C) The patient's illness may require teaching of new hygiene practices.
D) All cultures value cleanliness with the same degree of importance.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nurse must assist the patient in developing new hygiene practices when indicated by an illness or condition. For example, the nurse will need to teach a patient with diabetes proper foot hygiene. Patients who appear unkempt often need further assessment regarding their ability to participate in daily hygiene. Patients with certain types of physical limitations or disabilities often lack the physical energy and dexterity to perform hygienic care. Culturally, maintaining cleanliness does not hold the same importance for some ethnic groups as it does for others.

The Patient Has Been Diagnosed with Diabetes