While working as a CNA you will likely be required to perform perineal care (a.k.a. peri care) on a female. Perineal care is provided after an episode of incontinence, after using a bedpan, and as a part of daily bathing. Providing this care and observing the area helps patients avoid urinary tract infections and potentially larger health issues. This is a skill you may be tested on as part of your CNA skills exam.
To learn all the necessary steps for this skill, please watch this perineal care on a female CNA video for a complete demonstration.
How to do Perineal Care on a Female CNA Steps for Skills Exam
The process for providing perineal care to a patient during the CNA skills exam is as follows:
- Perform the standard CNA beginning tasks. Knock before entering the patient’s room, greet the patient by name, introduce yourself, explain the task you are about to perform, close the privacy curtain, and wash your hands.
- Fill a basin with water. Make sure the temperature is to the patient’s liking.
- Cover the patient to avoid any unnecessary exposure and maintain their privacy.
- Place a waterproof pad beneath the patient’s buttocks.
- Position the resident so that they are comfortable and you can provide care.
- Wet a wash cloth, apply cleaner and was the perineal area. To clean correctly, separate the labia and clean front to back using downward strokes using a clean cloth for each downward stroke. Repeat until clean.
- Rinse the area and pat dry.
- Turn the patient on their side so they are facing away from you and proceed to clean the anal area, again washing from front to back and using a clean washcloth for each stroke. Repeat until clean.
- Remove waterproof pad and dispose of materials.
- Perform your standard completion tasks – wash your hands, ensure the patient has a clean environment, ask if they are comfortable, give them their call light and close their privacy curtain.
* Please be sure to consult the testing materials provided by the skills test provider in your state to ensure that these steps for CNAs to provide perineal care on a female are in compliance. The procedure in different states and from different test providers can vary slightly and greatly affect your score.