135
SKILL 7-1
Giving a bed bath
(continued)
Comments
Excellent
Satisfactory
Needs practice
Copyright © 2014 by Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Checklists for Clinical Nursing Skills by Louise Sparkes, Jennifer Bassett and Elisabeth Jacob.
27. Fold a towel near the patient’s foot area and place the
basin on the towel. Place the foot in the basin while
supporting the ankle and heel in your hand and the leg
on your arm. Wash, rinse and dry the foot. Pay particular
attention to the areas between the toes.
28. Repeat steps 26 and 27 for the other leg and foot.
29. Make sure that the patient is covered with the sheet and/
or blanket. Change the water and washcloth at this point
(or earlier, if necessary).
30. Assist the patient to a prone or side-lying position. Put
on gloves, if not applied earlier. Position the blanket and
towel to expose only the patient’s back and buttocks.
31. Wash, rinse and dry the back and buttocks. Pay particular
attention to cleansing between gluteal folds and observe
for any redness or skin breakdown in the sacral area.
32. If not contraindicated, give the patient a backrub. Back
massage may also be given after perineal care.
33. Raise the bed side rail. Refill the basin with clean water.
Discard the washcloth and towel. Remove gloves and put
on clean gloves.
34. Clean the patient’s perineal area or set the patient up so
that they can complete perineal self-care.
35. Help the patient to put on a clean gown, pyjamas or
nightie and assist with the use of other personal toiletries,
such as deodorant or cosmetics.
36. Protect the pillow with a towel and groom the patient’s
hair.
37. When finished, make sure that the patient is comfortable,
with the bed side rails up, if appropriate, and the bed in
the lowest position.
38. Change the bed linen as described in Skills 7-8 and 7-9.
Dispose of soiled linen according to facility policy.
39. Remove used PPE/equipment and dispose of them in the
appropriate receptacle.
40. Perform hand hygiene.
41. Replace clean equipment in the appropriate storage area.
42. Document in the patient’s chart and report any abnormal
results to a senior nurse, medical officer or endorsed
nurse practitioner immediately.
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