Peri Care

[PleasantlyConfusedRN]

I have a student that is protesting a test item from a recent exam. Basically, the question asked the student to select all parts of the body would be involved in performing "perineal care." The students got the question "correct" if they chose genitals, rectum, and buttocks. This particular student, however, is arguing that according to the book, the definition of perineal care does not include the buttocks. If my patient had been incontinent of stool, I would hope that the peri care would involve the buttocks.

Am I wrong to expect my students to think past the knowledge level of definitions? I don't think it was a difficult question and it was certainly not meant to trick anyone. Any thoughts?

[nursebrandie28, BSN, RN]

You need to tell the student, that NCLEX will not let you argue questions and unless he/she can give you the exact location where it says that in the book, they need to calm down.

[PleasantlyConfusedRN]

Thanks for your reply! The student feels they have supported their argument because the book does not specifically state that peri care includes the buttocks. I want to be fair but at the same time I want him to learn to think critically about the questions.

[JBudd, MSN]

Peri care does extend to the buttocks, as no patient I've ever seen (or cleaned) has a line drawn in the skin to say "stop here!" do not pass onto the buttocks, do not collect any soil beyond here!

THis is buttock, this is not; thou shalt not clean anything but perianal during this task.

BTW, was there an answer that only offered genitalia and rectum? that is the only case where I might consider disallowing having not included buttocks.