University of Cebu – Banilad

College of Nursing
Cebu City

SKILLS LABORATORY PERFORMANCE CHECKLIST

DIABETIC FOOT CARE

Name: ______________________________ Year & Section: ___________ Grade:__________

EQUIPMENT:
Washbasin Moisture resistant disposable pad
Thermometer to test the water temperature Lotion or foot powder
Soap Toe nail clipper
Washcloth Nail file
2 towels Orange stick

PREPARATION:
1. Determine foot care needs based on the patient’s condition and assessment data.
2. Check the physician’s orders and patient’s care plan. LEGEND:
3. Discuss the procedure with the patient. 1 – Excellent
4. Wash your hands. 2 – Very Satisfactory
5. Collect all the necessary equipment. 3 – Satisfactory
6. Help the patient into a chair in a comfortable resting position if possible. 4 –Needs Improvement
5 – Poor
ASSESSMENT:
1. Inspect for each foot for cleanliness, odor, dryness, inflammation, swelling, abrasions or other
lesions. Carefully check all skin surfaces paying particular attention to the area between the toes.
2. Assess the status of toenails and surrounding skin.
3. Palpate the bony and muscular structures of the feet and planar surfaces to locate the points of
tenderness.
4. Palpate the anterior and posterior surfaces of the ankles for edema.
5. Palpate the dorsalis pedis pulse on the dorsal surface of the foot just above the longitudinal arch and
compare skin temperature of 2 feet to assess circulatory status.
6. Assess the client’s ability to stand, walk and perform ROM exercises with each ankle and set of toes.

NURSING E VS S NI P
PROCEDURE RATIONALE
RESPONSIBILITY 1 2 3 4 5
1. Assess the feet. To follow assessment
guide.
2. Fill the washbasin with 40.5*C Do not use water over
150*F, follow
recommendation
temperature.
3. Assist the ambulatory client to a Explain the procedure
sitting position in a chair, assist the to the patient to lessen
person considered to bed to a supine or anxiety.
semi-fowler’s position as health
permits.
4. Place a pillow under the knees of the Inform the patient
person in bed. before doing this step.
5. Place the washbasin on the moisture Spread the moisture
resistant pad at the foot of the bed or for resistant pad evenly.
an ambulatory client on the floor in
front of the chairs.
6. Pad the rim of the washbasin with a
towel for the person in bed.
7. Place one of the client’s feet in the Pay particular
basin and soak for at least 10 minutes. attention to the
Re-warm the water as needed. interdigital areas.
8. Using a washcloth, gently wash Pay particular
patient’s feet with soap and water. Rub attention to the
calloused areas or the foot with the interdigital areas.
washcloth.
9. Rinse the footwall to remove soap.
10. Remove the foot from the basin and
place it in the towel.
 NURSING E VS S NI P
PROCEDURE RATIONALE
RESPONSIBILITY 1 2 3 4 5
11. Dry each foot gently and
thoroughly, particularly between the
toes.
12. Apply lotion or lanolin cream or
foot powder containing a non-irritating
deodorant if the foot tends to perspire
excessively.
13. Observes the foot for any problems.
14. Empty the washbasin and refill it
with water. Then, soak and then clean
the other foot.
15. While the second foot is soaking,
clean and trim the toenails of the first
foot, if permitted.
CLINICAL ALERT:
Check policy of the hospital
Re: cutting of nails for clients with toe
infections or peripheral vascular
disease. Some health care facilities
require that only a podiatrist can cut
nails.
1. Starting with the large toe out or file
straight across the nail beyond the end
of the toe. If the client has diabetes or
circulatory problems, file the nails
rather than cut them.
2. Shape the fingernail with a file,
rounding the corners.
3. Clean under the nail, working from
one side to the others using the pointed
end of the nail file or orange stick.
4. Proceed to the next toe and repeat
steps for all toenails.
5. Massage lotion onto the feet, giving
particular attention to the cuticles
ordered the nails.
6. Gently push the cuticle back around
the base of the nail using the orange
stick.
7. Repeat trimming for the second foot.
8. Document any foot problems
observed.

COMMENTS:
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___________________________
Clinical Instructor’s Signature

____________________________
Date