Should I have worn gloves?

[noyesno, MSN, APRN, NP]

I am a nursing student. In clinical this past week I applied lotion to a 65 year old woman's back without wearing gloves. Her skin was intact so I thought it would be okay for me to rub in the lotion with my bare hands (I washed with hot soapy water before and afterwards).

Prior to doing this, I asked the RN I was following if she would wear gloves to rub in lotion and she said yes. She made it seem like it was not a requirement but rather her preference, so, I went ahead gloveless because I thought it would be more personal for this patient.

Afterwards, I asked a fellow nursing student what she would have done and she said she would have wore gloves.

Now, I am a little paranoid...

What would you have done?

[NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN]

When i give back rubs i personally dont think its necessary to wear gloves. ofcourse gloves are needed if the skin is not intact or if they have a contagious skin condition or on contact isolation.

[massrn116]

I think you don't have to be paranoid but perhaps just get into the habit of donning gloves even for back rubs. When I started, in the olden days, it was considered insulting to the patient to wear gloves even to give and take a bedpan, etc. Times have changed but, knock on would I never caught anything....."good handwashing":lol2:

[RNKPCE]

I tend to wear gloves for that but it isn't necessary. I don't wear gloves if I put on a bp cuff, check for pedal pulses, assist to sitting for listening to lungs. If you go for a massage outside a hospital the masseuse doesn't usually wear gloves. Don't stress yourself.

[netglow, ASN, RN]

OP, sure. But the thing is you just get in the habit of putting on gloves anytime you are going to "do" something to the patient. Of course there is some latitude. Generally, I do not when taking BP, or quick lung sounds, etc. Any time you might come in contact with bodily fluids/secretions is a good general rule other than always when pt is on contact precautions.

I put them on for instance when approaching the bed, close contact with someone that is incontinent. You'd be surprised what can be hiding under those sheets (might not smell) and you'll be happy you are wearing gloves. :)

[CathyLew]

thats a hard one. In the hospital we think gloves gloves gloves. But if you are getting a massage.... and have intact skin.... they don't wear gloves. when you hold a patients hand because they are upset...you don't wear gloves.

Open sores, yes...but then again, you wouldnt' give a routine back rub to someone with open sores on their back.

If you wear gloves in a routine back rub....which is meant to comfort the patient..... how are they going to feel? here....I want you to relax, settle down....but yuk! I can't touch you! yea, it's not that bad, but gloves do convey something to a patient.

Here is another one somewhat related to that. think about it. It may happen to you....has happend to me.

You have an old geezer in the hospital....he needs to use the urnal...can't quite get it right, so you help him. You don gloves, and assist him.

Now. different situation. Your (insert one) Father, significant other, brother, best friend....... same situation...is in the hospital, needs to use the urnal, for whatever reason (pain, TIA, etc) can't quite get it right, so you help him. Not on duty in the hospital..... do you don gloves?

awkward situation.... My dad came to the ED. TIA. Urnal on the stand.... needed to use it.... I was looking for gloves, my Mom picked up the urnal and helped him before he had an accident.

ok, a bit off topic.

[Otessa, BSN, RN]

Prior to wearing gloves for everything I used to put lotion on someone with my bare hands-mid 1980's.

Personally, I would wear gloves when applying lotion-you never know what you are going to find, even on someone who you think has intact skin...

otessa

[fungez]

I guess I'm old school but I almost never put on gloves for routine patient contact. And, really, for something like a back rub the skin to skin contact feels better to the patient, and I enjoy it more as well.

[leslie :-D]

i give lotioned/creamed foot rubs often...

and don't wear gloves.

my pts appreciate the massage and the tactile warmth of a human hand.

of course this only applies to intact skin.

leslie

[rebstudent]

I am a nursing student to, however I am in New Zealand.

We learnt in clinical, that it is a good idea not to wear gloves when doing this - applying lotions, batheing etc. - for that exact reason. It is more personal, and using therapeutic touch.

I say good on you - I would've done the same thing

[Pepper The Cat, BSN, RN]

I wouldn't wear gloves for a back rub. The pt needs a bit of personal contact during their stay.

[wooh, BSN, RN]

I wear gloves, not to protect myself from the patient, but from the lotion. I've got super sensitive skin and even baby lotion makes me itch.

If you aren't dealing with body fluids, it's not really necessary.