In female peri-care, how should you clean the labia?

In female peri-care, how should you clean the labia?

• A. Clean inside the labia from front to back, then wash the outer labia from outside to inside
• B. Wash the labia from back to front
• C. Clean only the outer genital area
• D. Wipe dry only

Answer: (A)

The key idea is to protect the urinary and vaginal areas from contamination by moving dirt and bacteria in a front-to-back direction. In female peri-care, you cleanse starting at the front near the urethral/vaginal openings and then move toward the back toward the anus, using a clean portion of the washcloth for each stroke. Cleansing the inner labia from front to back helps reduce the chance that bacteria from the anal area are brought toward the urethral and vaginal openings. After that, you wash the outer labia in the same direction—from the outer edges toward the inner area—so you continue the front-to-back progression and keep the area as clean as possible. Use gentle motions and pat dry.

The key idea is to protect the urinary and vaginal areas from contamination by moving dirt and bacteria in a front-to-back direction. In female peri-care, you cleanse starting at the front near the urethral/vaginal openings and then move toward the back toward the anus, using a clean portion of the washcloth for each stroke. Cleansing the inner labia from front to back helps reduce the chance that bacteria from the anal area are brought toward the urethral and vaginal openings. After that, you wash the outer labia in the same direction—from the outer edges toward the inner area—so you continue the front-to-back progression and keep the area as clean as possible. Use gentle motions and pat dry.