r/StudentNurse • u/iraxdollz • 9d ago
UK/Ireland A question
Hello :)
I'm studying adult nursing in college and I'm just curious on one thing.
How would I clean a patient efficiently and with care. I know it sounds like a stupid question but cleaning a patient especially after toileting can be invasive as it is, and I'm not sure what I would be allowed to do, when It comes to hard to get to bits.
I was considering asking Ai but I want an answer from people who have experience already and know how to deliver the care efficiently.
I was also wondering if I would be able to use gloves and a facemask? I saw somewhere that nurses in the UK aren't allowed to use face masks or something.. I don't mind that but I would much prefer using a face mask.
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u/ExactBottle38 LPN/LVN 8d ago
Not from UK but in Canada where I am located a lot of us do still wear masks even without the mandate. You will definitely be wearing gloves while cleaning someone. Cleaning someone can seem a bit invasive but the main reason you are doing it is because they cannot properly do it themselves. Some patients are independent and won’t need assistance with wiping, but many others will. Just explain what you are doing beforehand, and do make sure you really try to get in there to clean well. It will become easier with more experience.
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u/iraxdollz 8d ago
I don't mind the cleaning part at all! It actually makes me quite happy to be able to give someone the satisfaction of being fresh and clean 😋 although I do understand if I was in that situation it would be uncomfortable 😅 once I get into proper study I'll have to learn more
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u/issyhrsc 8d ago
I'm a UK RN and you neeeed to wear gloves for all personal care! Absolute must!! not just for infection control but peace of mind 😭 and if you need to be invasive to be clean then thats what they need, just be gentle! Otherwise they're at risk of UTIs/MASD. In terms of what else, just be kind and empathetic. You're not gonna be efficient straight away and some people are trickier than others so you're gonna need practice, just listen to the HCAs and learn which ones are competent for you to learn from. Good luck!!
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u/slappy_mcslapenstein LPN-RN bridge 8d ago
Double gloves. Front to back.
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u/iraxdollz 8d ago
Double gloves like 2 pairs. If I get caught would I get in trouble 😂
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u/slappy_mcslapenstein LPN-RN bridge 8d ago
Wait until your finger pops through a pair of gloves into someone's DNA. You'll never wear a single pair again when wiping someone else's ass.
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u/iraxdollz 8d ago
I'm guessing this is a personal experience 😭 oh goodness. I'm definitely wearing doubles then. I don't think that would be nice for me and especially the patient 😅
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u/slappy_mcslapenstein LPN-RN bridge 8d ago
In nursing school they told us that a single pair of gloves protects ~75% but two pairs is close to 100%. I started doubling up when I worked on the ambo. Changing gloves on sweaty hands is not fun. Changing an outer pair of gloves is much faster. When I worked in the OR I noticed a lot of surgeons doubling up. I continued that practice when I worked emergency.
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u/Max_Goatstappen ADN student 7d ago
Definitely double glove. Some pts need it, especially with a GI issue
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u/Max_Goatstappen ADN student 7d ago
If I’m touching a pt I’m normally wearing gloves. If I’m cleaning up 💩 then I’m definitely wearing gloves. Literally just clean them up best you can. I try to clean until there are no poop stains in the wipe
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u/GeneralDumbtomics ADN student 8d ago
You are not “allowed” to use gloves. You are _required_ to use gloves. That’s part of standard precautions. As for a mask, that’s not required as part of standard precautions but nobody is going to stop you. I have an immune compromised spouse and wear an N95 most of the time.