Oregon Certified Nursing Assistant State Practice Exam

A sitz bath is used to?

1. Relax the resident

2. Clean perineal wounds

3. Reduce swelling in the upper body

4. Encourage slow, deep breathing

The correct answer is: Clean perineal wounds

A sitz bath is specifically designed for therapeutic bathing of the perineal area. This procedure involves sitting in warm water, which can help to clean perineal wounds effectively by promoting hygiene in that sensitive area. The warmth of the water also aids in soothing discomfort and can promote healing, making it particularly beneficial for patients recovering from surgeries or suffering from conditions affecting that region. While relaxing the resident can occur as a secondary benefit of the warm water, that is not the main purpose of a sitz bath. Reducing swelling in the upper body does not relate to its intended use, as a sitz bath primarily targets the lower body. Additionally, encouraging slow, deep breathing is unrelated to the physical therapy aspect of a sitz bath, making that option not applicable in this context. Thus, the correct answer focuses on the sitz bath's primary function of cleaning and aiding recovery in the perineal area.