FOOT CARE

Many people notice foot and nail problem until pain occurs or neglect early manifestations until their ADL is affected by their foot or nail condition. Foot and nail care are important aspect of personal hygiene. The best time to provide nail and foot care is during the clients bath.

Foot Care: a. Purpose: To maintain skin integrity of the feet To prevent foot infections To prevent foot odors To maintain foot function b. Equipments: Basin Washcloth Bath or face towel Nail clippers Orange stick (optional) Emery board or nail file c. Procedure: Prepare patient and equipment: - Fill wash basin with warm water at about __________________, place it at the foot of the bed (with client in fowlers position) or on the floor in front of the chair (with client in sitting position) - Assist patient to sitting or semi-fowlers position - Place pillow under the patients knees to prevent muscle fatigue during the procedure Assess client - Degree of assistance required: limited vision, poor coordination and inability to reach the feet can impair ability of client to perform self-care - Knowledge of foot care and footwear worn. - Check circulation by: palpating __________________pulses, checking color of skin and warmth of toes and feet including capillary refill. - Palpate skin for sensation (using pinprick or light touch), __________________ and __________________. - Inspect all surfaces of toes, feet and nails for dryness, inflammation and cracking. - Risk for foot or nail problems: __________________, __________________, edema, muscle weakness and __________________, poor vision and __________________ Check temperature of water. Soak feet for __________________ to soften corns, __________________ and __________________ so that these can easily be removed. Rewarm water after 10 minutes if necessary. Offer diversional activity. Wash the feet one at a time in the basin paying particular attention to the interdigital areas. - Rub callused areas with washcloth to remove dead skin layers. - Rinse the foot well to remove soap which is irritating if not removed completely. - Replace used water. - Remove excess debris under the nails using __________________ or the blunt end of a toothpick while foot is immersed in water. - Remove feet from the basin Dry the feet - Blot gently with a towel to dry thoroughly. - Apply lotion or __________________ to lubricate skin and prevent dryness or __________________ and __________________ Trim nails

Clip nails __________________ to prevent splitting of nail margins and formation of sharp nail spikes that can irritate nail margins. Shape nails using __________________ or __________________. - If client has circulatory problems such as diabetes mellitus, do not cut nails but file them. - Push cuticle back gently with orange stick and apply lotion to hands and feet. Common Foot Problems: