Physical Care Skills: Infection Control, Safety, and Daily Care
Infection control is the foundation
Hand hygiene before and after every resident contact is the single most tested concept. Know the PPE sequence: don gown, mask, goggles, then gloves; doff gloves first, then goggles, gown, and mask last, with hand hygiene after. Standard precautions apply to every resident regardless of diagnosis. Contact precautions (MRSA, C. difficile) add gown and gloves; droplet precautions add a mask; airborne precautions (tuberculosis, measles) require an N95 with a fit check.
Moving and positioning safely
Use good body mechanics: feet shoulder-width, bend at the knees, keep the load close, pivot with the feet instead of twisting, and get help or a mechanical lift for any resident who cannot bear weight. Never catch a falling resident by the arms - lower the person gently to the floor and call for the nurse. Reposition at least every two hours, check skin at every turn, and keep heels off the mattress to prevent pressure injury. Perform range of motion only within comfort and never force past resistance.
Routine skills candidates mix up
Record intake and output in milliliters; lock the wheels and lower the bed before leaving. Position at Fowler's (45–90 degrees) for meals and for shortness of breath. Count respirations without telling the resident, since awareness changes the rate. Provide perineal care front to back.
Traps in questions
Wrong answers usually push a task outside your scope, skip reporting, or skip hand hygiene. If a resident refuses care, do not force it - respect the refusal, report, and try later.
Rule of thumb: Clean to dirty, front to back - wash the cleanest area first and move toward the dirtiest, and always finish with hand hygiene.