5

BED BATH
(Independent Function)

By: Michael Cruz, RN

BED BATH
A procedure of
hygienic care
rendered to a
patient who is
incapable or by
doctors order
should not leave
the bed.

OBJECTIVES

To perform and recall the

procedure.
To understand the importance of
bed bath.
To differentiate types of bed bath
according to category.

PURPOSES

Provides comfort and maintains dignity and

well-being of the patient.

Promotes body circulation and movement.

Prevents chances of developing secondary
infections/hospital-acquired diseases.
Notices any warning signs: reddened areas on
the skin, early signs of contractures and
deformities and others.

TWO CATEGORIES OF
BATHS GIVEN TO CLIENTS
1. Cleansing - Is given chiefly for cleansing or
hygiene purposes
a. Complete bed bath
b. Self-help bed bath
c. Partial bath (abbreviated bath)
2. Therapeutic Are usually given for physical
effects, such as sooth irritated skin or to treat
an area (perineum)

ASSESSMENT

Physical Factors (e.g. Condition of the skin,

ROM)

Emotional factors.

Presence of pain and need for adjunctive

measures before the bath.

Any other aspect of health that might affect

the patients bathing process.

PLANNING
Prepare the
materials/supplies:

2 small washbasins (1
for soapy solution; 1 for
rinsing)

Soap and soap dish

Linens: bath blanket,

two bath towels, wash
cloth, clean gown, and
additional bed linens or
towels.

A Pair of clean gloves

Shaving paraphernalia if necessary

Body powder, lotion and deodorant, if

preferred.

Prepare the patient

IMPLEMENTATION

IMPLEMENTATION CONT
9. Wear a pair of clean gloves.
10.Offer the patient a bedpan or urinal, or ask
whether the patient wishes to use the toilet
or commode.
11.Encourage the patient to perform as much
personal self-care as possible.
12.During the bath, assess each area of the
skin carefully for baseline data.
13.Position the bed at a comfortable working
height. Lower the side rail near you.
Keeping the other side rail up and then
assist the patient to move near you.

IMPLEMENTATION CONT
14.Place a bath blanket over the top sheet.
Remove the top sheet from under the bath
blanket by starting at the shoulders and
moving the linen down towards the feet. Ask
the patient to grasp or hold the top of the
bath blanket while pulling the linen to the
foot of the bed.
15. Remove the patients gown while keeping
the patient covered with the bath blanket.
16. Make a bath mitt with the wash cloth.

IMPLEMENTATION CONT
17. Wash the face:
a.

Place towel under the patients head.

b.

Wash the patients eyes with water, and dry them

well. Use a separate corner of the wash cloth for
each eye. Wipe from the inner to the outer canthus.

c.

Ask whether the patient wants to use soap over the

face (if applicable).

d.

Wash, rinse, and dry the patients face, ear and

neck.

e.

Remove the towel from under the patients head.

Note: temperature of water is based on the preference of the

patient/ (110-115 f or43-46c)

IMPLEMENTATION CONT
18. Wash the arms and hands:
a.

Place a towel lengthwise under the arm farther away from

you.

b.

Wash, rinse and dry the arm by elevating the patients arm
and supporting the patients wrist and elbow. Use long firm
strokes from wrist to shoulder.

c.

Repeat steps A and B on the opposite arm.

d.

Wash, rinse and dry both armpits. Apply deodorant or

powder if desired.

e.

Change water on the washbasin.

f.

Place a towel on the bed, and put a washbasin on it. Place

the patients hands in the basin. Assist the patient as needed
to wash, rinse and dry hands, paying attention to the spaces
between fingers.

g.

Exercise caution if an IV infusion is present, checking flow

after moving the arm.

IMPLEMENTATION CONT

19. Wash the chest and abdomen:

a.

Place a bath towel lengthwise over the chest. Fold

the bath blanket down to the patients pubic area.

b.

Lift the bath towel off the chest, and bathe chest
and abdomen with your mitted hand, using long,
firm strokes. Rinse and dry well.

c.

Replace the bath blanket when the areas have been

dried.

IMPLEMENTATION CONT
20. Wash the legs and feet:
a.

Expose the leg farther from you by folding the bath blanket
towards the other leg, being careful to keep the perineum
covered.

b.

Lift the leg and place the bath towel lengthwise under it.
Wash, rinse, and dry the leg, using long, smooth, firm strokes
from the ankle to the knee to the thigh.

c.

Reverse the coverings and repeat for the other leg.

d.

Wash the feet by placing them in the water basin.

e.

Dry each foot.

f.

Obtain fresh, warm bath water.

IMPLEMENTATION CONT

21. Wash the back and then perineum:

a.

Assist the patient into a prone or side-lying position facing

away from you. Place the bath towel lengthwise alongside the
back and buttocks while keeping the patient covered with the
bath blanket as much as possible.

b.

Wash and dry the patients back, moving from the shoulders to
the buttocks and upper thighs, paying attention to the gluteal
folds.

c.

Perform a back massage during the procedure.

d.

Assist the patient to supine position and determine whether

the patient can wash the perineal area independently. If the
patient cannot do so, drape the patient and wash the area.

IMPLEMENTATION CONT

22. Assist the patient with grooming aids, such as

powder, lotion or deodorant.
a.

Use powder sparingly. Release as little as possible

into the atmosphere.

b.

Help the patient put on a clean gown or pajamas.

c.

Assist the patient to care for hair, mouth, and nails.

23. Remove gloves.

24. Raise side rail near you.

IMPLEMENTATION CONT

25. After care of the materials and dispose waste

properly on the yellow trash bin.
26. Perform hand hygiene
27. Document all pertinent data:
a.

Noted alteration in skin integrity.

b.

Presence limited ROM, contractures.

c.

Intolerance to procedure.

EVALUATION

Tolerance of the patient to

the procedure rendered.