Measures for personal cleanliness and grooming, called personal hygiene, promote physical and psychological wellbeing. Personal hygiene practices vary widely among people. It is important that personal care be carried out conveniently and frequently enough to promote personal hygiene and wellness. Illness, hospitalization, and institutionalization generally require modifications in hygiene practices. In these situations, the nurse helps the patient to continue sound hygiene practices and can teach the patient and family members, when necessary, regarding hygiene. Nurses assisting patients with basic hygiene must respect individual patient preferences, providing only the care that patients cannot, or should not, provide for themselves. In addition, nurses should value each patient as an individual and take into consideration his or her physical, mental, and emotional state of being while providing hygiene care.
    This chapter discusses multiple factors that affect personal hygiene and nursing measures that promote personal hygiene. A practical guide for assessing the adequacy of personal hygiene is presented. The data collected when assisting with hygiene may lead to the identification of multiple nursing diagnoses and collaborative problems. Examples of such diagnoses and problems are provided. Patient outcomes are presented, as are specific nursing strategies used when performing care of the skin, mouth, eyes, ears, nose, feet, perineal areas, and vaginal areas. The concluding nursing plan of care related to feminine hygiene illustrates how the nurse uses knowledge of personal hygiene practices and the integumentary system, along with specific nursing interventions, to resolve nursing diagnoses and to promote the patient’s general sense of well-being.