Name of Student: Jan Elmer L.

Labesores___

CLEANSING BED BATH

Definition:
This kind of bath is to cleanses and refresh the patient. It also aid to stimulate
circulation for increase of elimination through the skin.

Purposes:
1. To remove transient microorganism, body secretions and excretions, and dead
skin cells.
2. To stimulate circulation of the skin.
3. To promote a sense of well-being.
4. To produce relaxation and comfort.
5. To prevent and eliminate unpleasant body odors.
Principles:
1. Before bathing a client, determine first the type of bath, self-care ability, any
movement or positioning precautions, and etc.
2. Perform hand hygiene.
3. Provide for client’s privacy.
Equipment:
1. Basin 7. Soap dish
2. Mitten 8. Bath towels
3. Paper lining 9. Gloves (if appropriate,
4. Bath blanket necessary)
5. Patient’s gown
6. Soap
Rationale:
1. To cleanse hands from any pathogens.
2. To inform and gain the patient’s cooperation
3. To provide privacy to the patient.
4. Air currents increase loss of heat from the body by convection.
5. To save time and effort and to prevent the excess water from the basin to spill
at the working area.
6. To facilitate easy placement of the bath blanket.
7. The bath blanket provides comfort, warmth, and privacy.
8. Warm water and activity can help circulation of the skin.
9. To prevent the bed from getting wet and also to prevent cross-contamination.
10. A bath mitt retains water and heat better than a cloth loosely held and prevents
ends of washcloth from dragging across the skin.
11. This prevents secretion from entering the nasolacrimal ducts.
12. To eliminate dirt. Rinsing will prevent the skin from dying and irritation.
13. Spreading the towel lengthwise protects the bed from becoming wet.
14. This will promote circulation by increasing venous blood return.
15. This will keep the client warm while preventing unnecessary exposure of the
chest.
16. Firm strokes from distal to proximal areas promote circulation by increasing
venous blood return.
17. This will avoid irritation of the respiratory tract by powder inhalation.
Excessive powder, however, can cause caking, which leads to skin irritation.
 18. Also to promote circulation by stimulating venous blood return.
19. Flexing will promote relaxation. Bath towel will prevent the bed from getting
wet.
20. To remove dirt from the foot (feet). Soaking loosens dirt.
21. To help eliminate growing bacteria from the perineum. Using clean water will
ensure the safety of the patient.
22. To provide comfort to the patient.
23. To make patient comfortable, preventing the risk of irritation on skin.
24. To promote clean hygiene on patient’s nails.
25. To help patient rest and feel relax.
26. To provide a clean environment to the patient.

Bibliography:

Berman, A., Snyder, S. J., & Frandsen, G. (n.d.). Kozier & Erb's Fundamentals of
Nursing: Concepts, Process, and Practice (Tenth ed.).

CLEANSING BED BATH

Return 1 2 3 PE
STEPS
Demo
1. Wash your hands.
 To cleanse hands from any pathogens.
2. Explain the procedure to the patient.
 To inform and gain the patient’s cooperation
3. Screen the bed (if in general ward).
 To provide privacy to the patient.
4. Adjust the temperature. Inspect the bedding.
 Air currents increase loss of heat from the body by
convection.
5. Clear the bedside table. Place a paper lining and arrange the
needed articles within reach. Prepare a glass of drinking
water. Place lining on chair where the basin will be placed.
 To save time and effort and to prevent the excess
water from the basin to spill at the working area.
6. Loosen the top linen at the foot part of the bed. Replace the
top sheet with the bath blanket if it is to be reused.
 To facilitate easy placement of the bath blanket.
7. Move the patient closer to you. Remove his clothing,
keeping him covered with the bath blanket.
 The bath blanket provides comfort, warmth, and
privacy.
8. Fill the bath basin with ½ to 2/3 of comfortably warm
water.
 Warm water and activity can help in the circulation of
the skin.
9. Place the bath towel under the head and face towel under
the chin.
  To prevent the bed from getting wet and also to
prevent cross-contamination
10. Wet the wash cloth and squeeze out the excess water.
Wrap the wash cloth around the palm and fingers to form a
“mitten”
 A bath mitt retains water and heat better than a cloth
loosely held and prevents ends of washcloth from
dragging across the skin.
11. Wash the region around the eyes with clear water. Rinse
and dry with bath towel. Remove the towels and place them
on the rack
 This prevents secretion from entering the nasolacrimal
ducts.
12. Wash the face, ear, and neck with soap and water. Rinse
and dry with bath towel. Remove the towels and place them
on the rack
 To eliminate dirt. Rinsing will prevent the skin from
dying and irritation.
13. Spread the towel lengthwise under the farther arm. Wash,
soap, rinsed and dry, paying particular attention to the axilla,
using long firm strokes. Cover the part with bath blanket.
 Spreading the towel lengthwise protects the bed from
becoming wet.
14. Do the same with the nearer arm. Line the bed with the
towel and place the basin with water. Wash both hands paying
attention to the fingernails and creases in between the fingers
and dry.
 This will promote circulation by increasing venous
blood return.
15. Cover the chest and abdomen with the bath towel and fold
the bath blanket down the pubic area. Wash, soap, rinse and
dry giving special attention to the area beneath the breast and
umbilicus.
 This will keep the client warm while preventing
unnecessary exposure of the chest.
16. Turn the patient in his side away from you. Place the bath
towel along his side and expose the back. Wash, soap, rinse
and dry from the nape to the posterior upper things, using long
and firm strokes.
 Firm strokes from distal to proximal areas promote
circulation by increasing venous blood return.
17. Apply lotion or powder if desired. Put on his gown and
place the patient on a supine position.
 This will avoid irritation of the respiratory tract by
powder inhalation. Excessive powder, however, can
cause caking, which leads to skin irritation.
18. Bathe the thighs and legs in the same manner and order as
in the arms. Place the towel under the leg, and drape. In long
firm strokes, wash, soap, rinse and dry giving particular
attention to the inguinal and popliteal area
 Also to promote circulation by stimulating venous
blood return.
19. Flex both knees and drape. Put the bath towel under the
feet. Place the basin on the towel.
 Flexing will promote relaxation. Bath towel will
prevent the bed from getting wet.
20. Place the farther foot flat into the basin. Wash it with soap
and water, rinse, dry using towel. In rinsing, pour water from
the pitcher over the foot and rinse thoroughly. Do the same
procedure with the nearer foot. If the basin is big enough, both
feet maybe washed at the same time
 To remove dirt from the foot (feet). Soaking loosens
dirt.
21. In another basin with clean water, clean the pubic and
perineal areas. If the patient is female, finish the bath by
inserting the thumbless mitten into the patient’s hand using
the rinsing towel. Leave the buzzer or bell and instruct the
patient to call once it is finished. If the patient is male, put the
equipment within reach and ask him to finish the bath. Wash
his hands afterwards.
 To help eliminate growing bacteria from the perineum.
Using clean water will ensure the safety of the patient.
22. Put on the rest of the clothing. Put the bath towel under the
head and assist with hair care.
 To provide comfort to the patient.
23. Fix the bedding. Make necessary adjustment. Replace the
bath blanket with top sheet.
 To make patient comfortable, preventing the risk of
irritation on skin.
24. Place the tissue paper under the patient’s hands and trim
his fingernails, PRN.
 To promote clean hygiene on patient’s nails.
25. Place the patient in comfortable position.
 To help patient rest and feel relax.
26. Remove the screen. Clean and return the used equipment
to the utility room. Discard the dirty linens into the hamper.
 To provide a clean environment to the patient.
27. Ability to answer questions.
A.
B.

Total Score
Equivalent Grade
Final Grade
Signature of C.I.
Signature of Student