Nursing Component Task
Nursing procedures & clinical learning

Registered Mental Health Nursing (RMN)

TREATING PEDICULOUS HAIR (HEAD) OF A PSYCHIATRIC PATIENT

The method of ridding the hair of lice on the head (pediculosis capitis). Hair lice is one of the common ectoparasitic infestation of the psychiatric patient that causes a lot of itching and discomfort.

Purpose

  • 1. Prevent infection and promote recovery
  • Promote skin integrity
  • Relieve patient of discomfort

Equipment

  • A tray containing the following:
  • Fine-toothed comb
  • Pipette
  • Dressing comb and brush
  • Gallipot with cotton wool swab
  • Protective material
  • Hair cover for nurse(s)
  • Treatment lotion in gallipot (e.g. savlon, benzyl alcohol 5%, crotamiton 10% etc.)
  • Receiver for used swabs
  • Rubber apron
  • Examination gloves
  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Bath towel
  • Screen

Procedure steps

  • Establish rapport (refer procedure)
  • Explain procedure to patient
  • Provide privacy
  • Prepare and send tray to appropriate place
  • Take patient to the appropriate place for the procedure
  • Sit patient in a desired position
  • Perform hand hygiene, put on rubber apron, hair cover and don gloves
  • Cover the patient’s neck and chest with protective material
  • Part the hair into small sections
  • Apply treatment lotion to the hair at the various partings
  • Spread treatment lotion in hair using pipette
  • Cover the patient’s head with hair cover
  • Leave hair covered according to the instructions of the treatment lotion used
  • Wash hair (refer procedure) to remove the treatment lotion completely at the appropriate time
  • Inspect and assess the scalp
  • Use a fine-toothed comb to remove the nits that may have remained in the hair
  • Comb and style hair according to patient’s preference
  • Remove protective material, and leave patient dry and comfortable
  • Express appreciation to patient and direct him/her to the next activity
  • Remove screen, clear tray, decontaminate used items and perform hand hygiene
  • Document procedure, report any abnormalities and indicate patient’s level of co-operation in the nurses’ notes/patient’s folder

References and further reading

Educational resource only. Follow current Nursing and Midwifery Council guidance, local institutional protocols, scope of practice, and clinical supervision.

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