Specimen Collection and Surgical Care
The Surgical Skin Prep—Shaving the Skin
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Purpose
- The skin and hair contain microbes that can enter the body through the surgical incision. To reduce the risk of infection, a skin prep is done.
- The doctor orders one or more of these for the skin prep at the operative site:
- Cleansing with anti-microbial soap (Anti means against.)
- Clipping the hair at and around the site
- Removing hair at and around the site
- The incision site and a large area around it are prepped. The prep is done in the person’s room or in the operating room (OR). To remove hair, a hair remover cream is used. Or the skin is shaved.
- For shaving, a skin prep kit is used.
- The kit has a razor, a sponge filled with soap, a basin, a drape, and a towel.
- Lather the skin with soap.
- Then shave in the direction of hair growth.
Equipment
Roll cursor over items to see labels. For the purposes of clearly depicting the equipment, a barrier is not shown in this photo. When providing care, a barrier should always be placed on the surface before placing the equipment.
Gloves
Bath blanket
Bath towel
Waterproof pad
Sterile water
Skin prep kit
Paper towels
PrintableDelegation
- Follow delegation guidelines. Before performing a surgical skin prep, obtain this information from the nurse and care plan:
- What type of skin prep to do—cleanse the skin, clip the hair, shave the skin, or use a hair remover cream
- What site to prep
- What observations to report and record
- When to report observations
- What patient or resident concerns to report at once
Preparation
- Observe quality-of-life measures.
- Review the information under Delegation and Safety and Comfort.
- Practice hand hygiene.
- Collect the equipment.
- Identify the person. Check the ID bracelet against the assignment sheet. Also call the person by name.
- Provide for privacy.
Safety
- Any break in the skin is a possible infection site. Be very careful not to cut, scratch, or nick the skin.
- Follow Standard Precautions and the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard.
Comfort
- This skill does not include comfort content.
Procedure Video
Audio Description: OFFFollow-up Care
- Provide for comfort.
- Place the call light within reach.
- Lower the bed to its lowest position. Lock the bed wheels.
- Raise or lower the bed rails. Follow the care plan.
- Unscreen the person.
- Return equipment to its proper place.
- Discard supplies.
- Complete a safety check of the room.
- Follow agency policy for dirty linens.
- Practice hand hygiene.
Reporting/Recording
- Report and record your observations, including:
- The area prepped
- Any cuts, nicks, or scratches
- Bleeding
- Sites of non-intact skin.
Review Questions
Select the best answer.
1. What is the purpose of a surgical skin prep?
To eliminate hair and dead skin from the surgical site- To apply an anesthetic solution to the skin before surgery
- To sterilize the skin and eliminate the possibility of infection
To remove microbes and help prevent infection during surgery
INCORRECT. The skin and hair contain microbes that can enter the body through the surgical incision. To reduce the risk of infection, a surgical skin prep is done.
INCORRECT. The skin and hair contain microbes that can enter the body through the surgical incision. To reduce the risk of infection, a surgical skin prep is done.
INCORRECT. The skin and hair contain microbes that can enter the body through the surgical incision. To reduce the risk of infection, a surgical skin prep is done.
CORRECT. The skin and hair contain microbes that can enter the body through the surgical incision. To reduce the risk of infection, a surgical skin prep is done.
Select the best answer.
2. For a surgical skin prep, which action should you take?
- Check with the nurse to determine the exact site to prep
- Answer questions about the surgery to calm the person and family
- Help the person put on clean clothes or pajamas after the skin prep
- Clean the surgical site with antimicrobial soap and shave it for all persons
CORRECT. Before performing a surgical skin prep, obtain information from the nurse and care plan about such topics as what type of skin prep to do and what exact site to prep.
INCORRECT. Before performing a surgical skin prep, obtain information from the nurse and care plan about such topics as what type of skin prep to do and what exact site to prep.
INCORRECT. Before performing a surgical skin prep, obtain information from the nurse and care plan about such topics as what type of skin prep to do and what exact site to prep.
INCORRECT. Before performing a surgical skin prep, obtain information from the nurse and care plan about such topics as what type of skin prep to do and what exact site to prep.
Select the best answer.
3. In addition to the skin prep kit, which equipment should you gather for a surgical skin prep?
INCORRECT. For a surgical skin prep, gather a skin prep kit (containing a razor, soap-filled sponge, basin, drape, and towel) as well as a bath blanket, warm water, gloves, a waterproof pad, and a bath towel.
INCORRECT. For a surgical skin prep, gather a skin prep kit (containing a razor, soap-filled sponge, basin, drape, and towel) as well as a bath blanket, warm water, gloves, a waterproof pad, and a bath towel.
CORRECT. For a surgical skin prep, gather a skin prep kit (containing a razor, soap-filled sponge, basin, drape, and towel) as well as a bath blanket, warm water, gloves, a waterproof pad, and a bath towel.
INCORRECT. For a surgical skin prep, gather a skin prep kit (containing a razor, soap-filled sponge, basin, drape, and towel) as well as a bath blanket, warm water, gloves, a waterproof pad, and a bath towel.
Select the best answer.
4. During a surgical skin prep, how should you shave the skin?
- Across the site with long strokes
- In the direction of the hair growth
- Against the direction of the hair growth
- From the center out in a circular motion
INCORRECT. During a surgical skin prep, you should hold the skin taut and shave in the direction of the hair growth. Shave outward from the center, using short strokes.
CORRECT. During a surgical skin prep, you should hold the skin taut and shave in the direction of the hair growth. Shave outward from the center, using short strokes.
INCORRECT. During a surgical skin prep, you should hold the skin taut and shave in the direction of the hair growth. Shave outward from the center, using short strokes.
INCORRECT. During a surgical skin prep, you should hold the skin taut and shave in the direction of the hair growth. Shave outward from the center, using short strokes.
Select the best answer.
5. Which type of skin prep is not appropriate for a surgical skin preparation?
INCORRECT. Based on information from the nurse and care plan, you may perform a surgical skin prep by cleansing the skin, clipping (not plucking) the hair, shaving the skin, or using a hair remover cream.
CORRECT. Based on information from the nurse and care plan, you may perform a surgical skin prep by cleansing the skin, clipping (not plucking) the hair, shaving the skin, or using a hair remover cream.
INCORRECT. Based on information from the nurse and care plan, you may perform a surgical skin prep by cleansing the skin, clipping (not plucking) the hair, shaving the skin, or using a hair remover cream.
INCORRECT. Based on information from the nurse and care plan, you may perform a surgical skin prep by cleansing the skin, clipping (not plucking) the hair, shaving the skin, or using a hair remover cream.
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