FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING CHAPTER 02

RLE/ SECOND SEMESTER WEEK 7

BED BATHING
INTRODUCTION  Bed Blankets
 Wash Cloth
BED BATHING
 Hamper for soiled linen
 It is a type of bath given while the client is on bed.  Soap
 Bed-Bath [ or sponge bath ] means bathing a patient who is
confined to bed and cannot have the physical and mental
capability of self-bathing.
 It is a type of bath given while the client in on bed.
 A bed bath cleans the skin and helps keep the skin free of
infection.
 It helps to relax the person being bathed and help him feel
better.

INDICATIONS PROCEDURE & RATIONALE

 Bed ridden patients/ Coma patients
 Major surgery PROCEDURE
 Orthopedic patients with surgery Assessment
1. Assess client`s tolerance
 Mentally ill patients
for activity.
 Certain infections 2. Assess/adjust room
 Patients with amputation surgery temperature & ventilation.
WHO IS A BED-BATH FOR? Planning
3. Wash hands.
Some patients cannot safely leave their beds to bathe. These 4. Gather all necessary
bedridden patients include post-operative patients, paraplegic equipment.
patients or very frail elderly patients. Implementation
5. Identify the client & explain
For these people, daily bed baths can help keep their skin
the procedure.
healthy, control odor, and increase comfort. If moving the patient
6. Provide privacy by drawing
causes pain, plan to give the patient a bed bath after the person has the curtains and closing the
received pain medicine and it has taken affect. door.
PURPOSE 7. Offer bedpan or urinal.
 To make client clean and feel comfortable
 To increase sense of well-being. 8. Wash hands.
 To promote muscular relaxation and relieve feelings of
fatigue. 9. Adjust bed to a comfortable
working height position.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF BED BATHING 10. Remove the top linen by
placing a bath blanket over
 Encourage the patient to be involved as possible in bathing the client before removing top
themselves. This helps to maintain their independence, self- sheet.
esteem and dignity. 11. Remove client`s gown
 A bed bath is a good time to inspect a patient's skin for ensuring he/she is covered
redness and sores. Pay special attention to skin folds and with bath blanket.
bony areas when checking. NOTE:
A. If client has an IV, remove
 Keep the patient warm at all times
gown first from arm without IV.
 Only expose the area of the body being washed Do not disconnect tubing.
 Pat the skin dry to reduce the risk of friction damage b. If any extremity is injured,
remove gown first from the
EQUIPMENT uninjured side.
12. Pull side rail up and fill
 Wash Bin was basin 2/3 full of warm
 Bath Towel water.
 Patient Gown
 Gloves 13. Remove pillow if allowed
 Hygiene supplies (lotion, powder, deodorant) & place patient in a semi-
 Bedpan / Urinals fowler`s position. Spread bath
RATIONALE
To determine client’s ability
to perform self-care and
level of assistance
Wash room prevents rapid
loss of body heat during
bathing
To reduce the spread of
microorganisms
To promote client’s
cooperation and
participation.
To allay fear and anxiety
Client will feel more
comfortable and allow
continuity of work.
To reduce the spread of
microorganisms
To prevent muscle strain on
the part of health provider.
Blanket provides warmth
and privacy.
To provide full exposure of
body parts during the
procedure.
NOTE:
Undressing unaffected or
injured side first allows
easier manipulation of body
parts with reduced range of
motion.
To maintain client safety.
Warm water promotes
comfort and relaxation of
muscle.
Removal of pillow makes it
easier to wash client’s ear
and neck.

TRANSCRIBED BY: NEPOMUCENO, CKC. 1|Page

 towel across patient`s chest
tucking it under the chin
13. Make a mitt of the wash
cloth.
14. Wash client`s eyes from
the inner canthus towards the
outer canthus. Use separate
portion of the wash cloth for
the eyes.
15. Wash client`s face, ears,
& neck with or without soap
as per client’s preference.
Rinse & pat dry.
16. Place a bath towel under
the arm away from you. Wash
client’s arm with soap and
water far from you, distal to
proximal including axilla,
using long firm strokes. Rinse
& dry.
17. Repeat procedure on the
arm near you. (Change water)
18. Fold bath towel in half and
lay it on bed beside the client.
Wash client`s hands in basin.
Rinse & dry.
19. Place bath towel over the
client’s chest and fold bath
blanket down the pubic area.
Wash chest & abdomen using
long firm strokes paying
attention to skin folds. Rinse
& pat dry.
20. Replace bath water.
21. Expose one leg at a time
by folding blanket toward
midline. Place bath towel
under the calf of leg away from
you. Wash with long firm
strokes. Rinse & pat dry.
22. Repeat procedure on the
leg near you.
23. Immerse & wash client’s
feet in the basin. Rinse
& pat dry.
24. Replace water.
25. Turn patient on his/her
side & place towel alongside
of the back. Bathe beginning
on the hairline and washing
downwards including the
buttocks using long firm
strokes giving special
attention on the folds of
buttocks and anus. Wash
with long & firm strokes.
Rinse & pat dry. (Change
water).
26. If unable, place client in
supine position & cover with
TRANSCRIBED BY: NEPOMUCENO, CKC.
bath blanket & then wash the
perineum from the front to the
To protect the client’s skin rear giving special attention
from the nails of the health to skin folds.
care provider. Mitt retains If patient is able, place a
water and heat than loosely towel under the buttocks &
held cloth. bring basin & soap within
Soap will irritate the eyes. client`s reach. Instruct client
to complete the bath
him/herself.
26. Assist the client to wear To make client comfortable.
gown. Apply lotion if desired
Soap tends to dry face by client.
which is exposed to air The use of toiletries such as
more than any other parts deodorants, cosmetics and
of the body. perfume should be determined
Long firm strokes stimulate by the patient.
circulation. Leaving the client’s unit
27. Remove equipment used
clean and orderly will
and store them in proper
prevent accidents and show
place.
respect for the client.
To prevent spread of
28. Wash hands.
microorganism.
Washing first the arm of the Evaluation
client away from provider 29. Evaluate the client`s
prevents contamination of comfort.
dirt from the arm near the Documentation To contribute to data
client. 30. Document the procedure collection and fulfill
To prevent soiling of bed. to include type of bath procedural requirement.
administered & client’s
response.
Skin fold accumulate dirt.
For sanitary purposes.
To provide warmth and
privacy.
To provide warmth and
privacy.
Moisture in between
promotes accumulation of
microorganism.
For sanity purposes.
Dirt accumulates on the fold
of the buttocks and anus.
REFERENCES:
https://www.carechamp.co.za/news/bed-
bathing#:~:text=WHAT%20IS%20A%20BED%2DBATH,mental%2
0capability%20of%20self%2Dbathing
https://www.slideshare.net/IvoneIgagao/tepidspongebathpdf
https://www.slideshare.net/IvoneIgagao/tepidspongebathpdf
VIDEO:
To make client comfortable
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcaiMHduqPc
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