Personal Hygiene in Patients with Limited Mobility

A 75-year-old female patient is admitted to the hospital with dehydration and a urinary tract infection (UTI). The nursing assessment reveals that she has difficulty maintaining her personal hygiene due to arthritis, which affects her mobility and dexterity.

To promote her self-care and maintain personal hygiene, the nurse should recommend that the patient utilizes a care tool such as a long-handled sponge for bathing. This allows her to clean her body effectively despite her limited range of motion.

Given this situation, nurses often use certain guidelines when assisting patients with their personal hygiene. For patients with mobility challenges, it is essential to focus on areas that tend to develop odor or infection. Fill in the blank to complete the guideline: 'For patients with limited mobility, it is crucial to clean and dry the ___________ area daily to prevent skin breakdown and infections.'