What is the proper technique for foot and toe care for a resident?

• A. Clean and rinse feet, dry thoroughly, inspect between toes, trim nails per policy, apply lotion if allowed.
• B. Soak feet for 20 minutes; scrub hard; ignore nails.
• C. Dry feet only; trim nails aggressively; no lotion.
• D. Wash feet with hot water; rub vigorously; no inspection.

Answer: (A)

Foot and toe care focuses on hygiene, skin integrity, and safety, while following facility policy. Start by cleaning and rinsing the feet to remove dirt and germs, then dry thoroughly to prevent moisture that can lead to infection. Inspect the feet, especially between the toes, for redness, cracks, swelling, sores, or signs of infection. Trim the nails straight across according to policy to prevent ingrown nails and injury. Apply lotion only if the policy allows it, and use it on the top and bottom of the feet to prevent dryness; avoid excess moisture or applying lotion between the toes if policy or conditions call for it.

Other approaches can cause problems: soaking for long periods or scrubbing hard can damage skin; neglecting nail care increases the risk of ingrown nails; drying only without inspection misses early signs of trouble; using hot water or rubbing aggressively can burn or irritate the skin. The described method provides safe, respectful, and effective foot care that protects residents’ skin and comfort.