Glenda P.
De Vera, RN, MAN
LEARNING OUTCOME:
Review the basic principle of perineal care.
Integrate the perineal care as applied in the
delivery room.
Describe alternative methods in the
implementation of perineal care.
Deepen the appreciation of nursing care in the
delivery room.
FEMALE PERINEAL CARE
Definition: It is the cleaning of the vulva and
perineum.
Purposes:
1. To promote normal perineal secretions and odors.
2. To promote client’s comfort.
3. To prevent infection.
Procedure
Assessment :
1. Assess client status : level of consciousness,
ability to ambulate, ability to perform self-care,
frequency of urination and defecation and skin
condition.
2. Identify cultural preferences for perineal care.
Procedure
3. Assess the client’s perineal health. Assess for
presence of irritation, excoriation,
inflammation, swelling, excessive discharges,
color, pain or discomfort.
4. Determine if the client is incontinent of urine
or stool.
Equipment :
Cherry balls or Cotton balls
Clean gloves
Kelly pad
Pitcher or container with
warm water (43-46℃ or
110-115℉) or
a prescribed solution)
Waste Receptacle
Implementation Rationale
1.Obtain and prepare the >To save time, effort
necessary equipment and and energy on the
supplies. Bring equipment's part of the nurse.
to the bedside.
2. Explain to the client what >To allay fear and
you are going to do, why is apprehension of the
it necessary and how patient. To obtain
he/she can cooperate, patient’s
being particularly sensitive cooperation.
to any embarrassment felt
by the client.
3. Wash hands and > Reduces transmission
observe other of microorganisms.
appropriate infection
control procedures (e.g.
gloves)
4. Provide for client >Provides privacy.
privacy. Hygiene is a personal
matter.
5. Prepare and position the Minimum exposure
client lessens embarrassment.
b. Position the female client >To expose the perineal-
in a lithotomy positon. genital area.
c. Instead of a bedpan, This prevents the bed from
place a Kelly pad with becoming soiled.
waste receptacle usually a
basin
6. Inspect the perineal >To note presence
area. of inflammation,
excoriation or
swelling.
7. Wash and dry the
perineal-genital area. >Rinsing it washes
-wash and pour or moistens the
solution over genitalia area.
(hold the pitcher with
the rim towards the
pelvis)
- Pick a cherry ball with the >This prevents
picking forceps and start the
washing the upper aspect of
the labia majora and continue transmission
towards the mons veneris and of
the lower abdomen with side microorganism
to side strokes. Use only 1 from one area
cherry ball per stroke. Discard
all used cotton balls into the to the other.
kidney basin.
- A set of cherry balls in >Using new
betadine solution is cotton balls or
used to wash the groin gauzes
towards the upper third prevents the
of the thigh. The strokes transmission of
are made with 1 stroke microorganism
moving from the crease s from one area
of the groin up to the to the other.
thigh. Use one cotton
ball /stroke. Do the
same on the other thigh.
- Another set of cherry > Wash from the
balls is used to wash the
right labia majora and the area of least
area to the right of the contamination to
anus with downward that of the
strokes and discard it greatest.
after.
- Use another set of cherry
balls to wash the left labia
majora and the area to the
left of the anal with one
downward stroke and
discard it after.
-Spread the labia to wash >Secretions that tend
the folds between the labia to collect around the
majora and labia minora. labia minora facilitate
bacterial growth.
-A cherry ball in betadine
solution is used to wash >Wash from the area of
directly down the middle least contamination to
over the vulva toward the that of the greatest.
anus with one downward
stroke. Discard every after
stroke.
- Drying with cotton balls is not emphasized in the delivery room
but only allows air dry.
- For post-delivery and menstruating women, apply a perineal pad
as needed from front to back.
Evaluation:
>Check back with patient for feeling of
comfort.
Documentation:
> Record any unusual findings such as
redness, excoriation, skin breakdown,
discharge or drainage and any localized
areas of tenderness.
