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ExamReady CNA
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Personal Care

Perineal Care

A skill with critical steps. Wipe front-to-back, change the cloth with each wipe, and never reuse a wipe on a cleaner area.

5-10 minutes•16 steps•2 critical
Front-to-back, every single time. No exceptions.

Why this matters

Front-to-back, every single time. No exceptions.

Quick tips

  • Front to back, every stroke, every time: wash, rinse and dry.
  • Fresh part of the cloth for every stroke. A folded washcloth gives you several clean faces.
  • Expose only hips to knees, nothing more.

Common mistakes

  • Wiping back to front. The critical step fails, and wiping toward the urinary opening can carry germs there.
  • Using the same spot of the washcloth for two strokes. The critical step fails and you drag soil back over clean skin.
  • Doing the rectal area before the genital area. It would spread germs from the dirtiest area to the cleaner one.
  • Rinsing with the soapy cloth or skipping the rinse. Soap left on can irritate the skin.