Personal Hygiene and Grooming
Shaving a Male Patient
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- » Performing Hair Care and Shampooing in Bed
- » Shaving a Male Patient
- » Performing Nail and Foot Care
- » Assisting with a Gown Change
Take the Review Test:
Safety
- Always assess the environment for safety before administering hygiene care to a patient. Check the floor for spills, and make sure equipment is working properly. When not performing procedures, the patient’s bed should be in the locked, low position with at least two, but no more than three, side rails raised.
- Observe Standard Precautions when providing care, which includes wearing clean gloves. Additional precautions requiring other personal protective equipment (PPE) may be necessary, depending on the patient’s condition.
- Be sure the call light is easily accessible to the patient at all times.
- Monitor patients who have a decrease in sensory perception, such as those with peripheral neuropathy.
- Before shaving, review the patient’s medical history, medications, and laboratory values, such as platelet count and anticoagulation studies.
Equipment
(Roll cursor over items to see labels)
Electric razor
Disposable razor
Spare razors
Scissors
Moustache comb (optional)
Bath towels & washcloth
Washbasin
Shaving cream
Aftershave lotion
Skin or beard conditioner (optional)
Hand mirror
Clean gloves
PrintableDelegation
The skill of shaving a male patient can be delegated to nursing assistive personnel (NAP). Be sure to inform NAP of the following:
- A male patient should not be shaved with a disposable razor if he has a bleeding tendency
- A male patient should be encouraged to use his own electric razor from home unless doing so is contraindicated
- Report how the patient tolerated the procedure and any concerns
Preparation
- Assess the environment for safety, such as checking the room for spills, making sure that all equipment is working properly, and ensuring that the bed is in the locked, low position.
- Assess the patient’s shaving product preferences, such as aftershave lotion or skin conditioner.
- Before shaving, determine whether the patient has a bleeding tendency. Review the patient’s medical history, medications, and laboratory values, such as platelet count and anticoagulation studies.
- Assess the patient’s ability to manipulate a razor.
- Ask the patient to explain during the procedure the steps he uses to shave. Ask the patient to indicate if he becomes uncomfortable.
- Position the patient sitting in a chair or in the bed with the head of the bed elevated to 45 to 90 degrees, as tolerated.
Follow-up
- Inspect the condition of the shaved area and the skin underneath the beard or moustache.
- Ask the patient if his face feels clean and comfortable.
- Ask the patient if he is satisfied with his degree of participation.
Documentation
- Record the shaving procedure. If there is no area indicated for shaving, make a nurse’s note in the medical record. Note how the patient tolerated the procedure and if there were any complications, such as bleeding, pain, or problem skin areas.
Review Questions
1. When preparing to help a male patient shave, why does the nurse first review the patient’s medical history?
To determine the patient’s risk of bleeding 
To see how often he prefers to shave - To learn which is his dominant hand
- To determine whether he can perform the task himself
CORRECT. When preparing to help a male patient shave, the nurse first reviews the patient’s medical history to determine his risk of bleeding.
INCORRECT. When preparing to help a male patient shave, the nurse first reviews the patient’s medical history to determine his risk of bleeding.
INCORRECT. When preparing to help a male patient shave, the nurse first reviews the patient’s medical history to determine his risk of bleeding.
INCORRECT. When preparing to help a male patient shave, the nurse first reviews the patient’s medical history to determine his risk of bleeding.
2. Why would the nurse encourage a male patient to use an electric razor for shaving?
- To reduce the use of hospital supplies
- To reduce the risk of infection
- To reduce the risk of bleeding from a disposable razor
- To encourage him to shave himself
INCORRECT. The nurse would encourage a male patient to use an electric razor to reduce the risk of bleeding associated with use of disposable razors.
INCORRECT. The nurse would encourage a male patient to use an electric razor to reduce the risk of bleeding associated with use of disposable razors.
CORRECT. The nurse would encourage a male patient to use an electric razor to reduce the risk of bleeding associated with use of disposable razors.
INCORRECT. The nurse would encourage a male patient to use an electric razor to reduce the risk of bleeding associated with use of disposable razors.
3. Which action is most important in minimizing the patient's risk for injury when preparing to shave a patient with a history of bleeding?
- Fully explain the process to the patient in order to secure his cooperation.
- Pay particular attention to technique in order to avoid nicks and cuts.
- Ensure that the provider has ordered the intervention.
- Review current platelet count and anticoagulation studies.
INCORRECT. Although explaining the process is appropriate, this option does not directly affect the patient's risk for injury through bleeding.
INCORRECT. Although paying special attention to technique is appropriate, the necessity of using extreme caution has not yet been determined.
INCORRECT. Although it is appropriate to review the provider's orders, such an order is not usually needed to perform routine hygiene care.
CORRECT. Reviewing the patient's most recent laboratory studies will give the nurse information with which to make other decisions to help ensure his safety, such as whether to use an electric razor.
4. Why would the nurse instruct nursing assistive personnel (NAP) to hand the patient a mirror before trimming his moustache and beard?
- To distract him so that he will stay still
- To allow him to point out which areas he would like to have trimmed
- To promote his sense of independence
- To keep his hands away from his face
INCORRECT. The nurse would instruct the NAP to hand the patient a mirror to allow him to point out which areas he would like to have trimmed.
CORRECT. The nurse would instruct the NAP to hand the patient a mirror to allow him to point out which areas he would like to have trimmed.
INCORRECT. The nurse would instruct the NAP to hand the patient a mirror to allow him to point out which areas he would like to have trimmed.
INCORRECT. The nurse would instruct the NAP to hand the patient a mirror to allow him to point out which areas he would like to have trimmed.
5. What is the best way for the nurse to ensure that the patient is comfortable while he is being shaved?
- Administer a prescribed analgesic 30 minutes before beginning the procedure.
- Gently pull the skin taut in order to avoid nicks and cuts.
- Ask the patient if he is comfortable several times during the procedure.
- Encourage the patient to shave himself if he is capable of doing so.
INCORRECT. Unless the provider has specified administration of an analgesic, it is unnecessary to give one before shaving a patient.
INCORRECT. Although this technique is appropriate, the best way to ensure that the patient is comfortable during the shave is simply to ask him.
CORRECT. To ensure that the patient remains comfortable while he is being shaved, simply ask him several times how he feels.
INCORRECT. Although it is appropriate to encourage the patient to shave himself if he can, the best way to ensure that the patient is comfortable is simply to ask him.
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