7.1 Bathing, Grooming, and Oral Care

Personal Care Is Clinical Care

Bathing and grooming are not cosmetic extras. They allow the CNA to observe skin, mood, pain, movement, breath, hygiene, and independence.

Bathing Principles

Use these rules:

• Knock and explain care.
• Ask preferences when possible.
• Close curtain or door.
• Keep the resident covered.
• Wash from clean to dirty areas.
• Use a clean area of the washcloth for each stroke when needed.
• Keep water comfortably warm.
• Dry skin well, especially folds.
• Apply non-medicated lotion if allowed by care plan.
• Keep call light within reach.

Oral Care

Oral care prevents pain, infection, bad breath, poor intake, and pneumonia risk. Provide oral care at least as assigned and more often when residents are NPO, oxygen-dependent, or unable to clean their own mouth.

Report:

• Bleeding gums.
• White patches.
• Loose teeth.
• Mouth sores.
• Pain with chewing.
• Broken dentures.
• Refusal due to pain.

Denture Care

Handle dentures over a lined sink or towel so they do not break if dropped. Use cool water, brush all surfaces, rinse, and store in clean water according to policy.

Never wrap dentures in tissue or napkins. They can be thrown away accidentally.

Grooming

Hair care, shaving, nail care, and dressing support identity and dignity. For residents on blood thinners, with diabetes, or with circulation problems, nail and foot care may have special restrictions.

Exam Tip

Choose answers that protect privacy, use clean technique, encourage independence, and report abnormal observations.