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Nursing vocabulary · Basic Care and Mobility

Personal care

Meaning in nursing, with examples

nounCore term

In nursing, personal care means: Help with the everyday tasks of looking after the body, such as washing, dressing, using the toilet, mouth care and shaving.

In Turkish: kişisel bakım, kişisel hijyen bakımı

How it is used

Used in handovers and care plans: 'needs assistance of one with personal care', 'independent with personal care'. Nurses and healthcare assistants give it while protecting the patient's dignity and privacy, for example by closing the curtains and asking what the patient would like to do themselves.

Example sentences

  1. Mrs Şahin needs help with personal care in the morning but can feed herself.

  2. Please draw the curtains before you start his personal care.

Common collocations

  • assist with personal care
  • provide personal care
  • independent with personal care
  • personal care needs
  • bed bathA wash given to a patient who cannot get out of bed, using a bowl of warm water, soap, towels and cloths, while keeping them covered and warm.
  • bedpanA flat container that a patient who cannot get out of bed sits on to pass urine or open their bowels.
  • mobilizeTo get a patient moving by sitting up, standing or walking, especially after an operation or a period in bed.
  • care planA written plan that sets out a patient's nursing needs, the goals of care and the actions the team will take to meet them.

More terms: Basic Care and Mobility

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.