HELP Needed on importance of bathing needs of a stroke pt

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My case study is about a patient who suffered stroke due to occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. Diagnosed with ® hemiplegia with flaccid paralysis, ® homonymous hemianopia and partial expressive aphasia.

My task is to do care plan on self care deficit focussing on bathing needs of the patient.

I NEED HELP on the part where I have to discuss on why the bathing needs of the pt is important to address and its impact and relationships with other nursing problems.

Thank You In Advance

kaynurse

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I would say something to the effect that the skin needs to be kept clean and dry as well as frequent turning to avoid break down, which can lead to nasty wounds that don't heal and infections.

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Specializes in ICU, Emergency Department.

Remember that with right sided weakness, patients may also have unilateral neglect syndrome. Always place the bathing items on their unaffected side and encourage them to do as much self-care independently as possible, as well as not to forget their right side.

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I have managed to get some info regarding the benefits of showering the pt e.g. removes body odor, relaxation, tissue and muscle stimulation, skin assessment and ronge of motion.

Can you pls help me in relating the impact and relationship of bathing needs of a stroke pt with other nursing problems!!!

Thank YOU

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

I'm sitting here trying to make the connection between self-care deficits and the other nursing problems that stroke patients have which include:

  • problems with physical movement
  • problems with speech and, therefore, making their needs known
  • an inability to correctly sense touch
  • incontinence
  • depression (depressed people many times let their physical appearance go)

Hope that helps.

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You seem to be on the right track. The main one's I can think of are:

Skin care (i.e. preventing skin breakdown)

Preventing infection

Promoting circulation

Improving depression/mood

Also be aware that stroke patients often suffer from paresthesias and other sensory problems that may make it painful for them to be handled. If your patient has this, you would want to make sure they have sufficient pain meds on board before giving a bath. I had a patient like this before, and she hurt any time we moved/touched her. I felt so bad for her!

Good luck.

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