Once a week, staff members from all the disciplines caring for the trauma patients get together to discuss their progress. Which term best describes this patient care action?

Choice A reason: This is the correct choice because utilizing a no-rinse shampoo cap is the best option for washing the patient’s hair who has just undergone shoulder replacement surgery. A no-rinse shampoo cap is a disposable cap that contains a pre-moistened shampoo and conditioner. It can be heated in a microwave and applied to the patient's head without the need for water or rinsing. It can clean and condition the patient's hair without causing any discomfort or movement of the affected shoulder.

Choice B reason: This is an incorrect choice because using a handheld shower sprayer is not the best option for washing the patient’s hair who has just undergone shoulder replacement surgery. A handheld shower sprayer is a device that attaches to a faucet and allows the user to direct the water flow. It can be difficult and painful for the patient to use or hold the sprayer with the affected shoulder, and it can also wet the surgical dressing or incision site.

Choice C reason: This is an incorrect choice because having the patient lean over the wash basin is not the best option for washing the patient’s hair who has just undergone shoulder replacement surgery. A wash basin is a bowl or sink that contains water and soap for washing. It can be uncomfortable and risky for the patient to lean over the basin with the affected shoulder, and it can also wet the surgical dressing or incision site.

Choice D reason: This is an incorrect choice because having the patient lean back into the sink is not the best option for washing the patient’s hair who has just undergone shoulder replacement surgery. A sink is a basin with a faucet that provides water for washing. It can be uncomfortable and risky for the patient to lean back into the sink with the affected shoulder, and it can also wet the surgical dressing or incision site.

Choice A reason: This is an incorrect choice because the axillary method is not the most accurate measurement of the core temperature. The axillary method involves placing a thermometer under the patient's armpit and measuring the temperature of the skin surface. This method can be affected by factors such as sweating, clothing, and ambient temperature. The axillary method can underestimate the core temperature by 0.5°C to 1.5°C¹.

Choice B reason: This is an incorrect choice because the oral method is not the most accurate measurement of the core temperature. The oral method involves placing a thermometer in the patient's mouth and measuring the temperature of the sublingual pocket. This method can be affected by factors such as eating, drinking, smoking, and mouth breathing. The oral method can underestimate the core temperature by 0.3°C to 0.8°C¹.

Choice C reason: This is the correct choice because the rectal method is the most accurate measurement of the core temperature. The rectal method involves inserting a thermometer into the patient's rectum and measuring the temperature of the rectal mucosa. This method reflects the temperature of the blood flowing through the core of the body. The rectal method is considered the gold standard for measuring the core temperature¹.

Choice D reason: This is an incorrect choice because the forehead method is not the most accurate measurement of the core temperature. The forehead method involves placing a thermometer on the patient's forehead and measuring the temperature of the temporal artery. This method can be affected by factors such as sweating, hair, and ambient temperature. The forehead method can overestimate or underestimate the core temperature by 0.5°C to 1°C¹.