PN1006- Complete/Partial Bed Bath
Questions and All Correct Answers.
What are the safety measures when performing a bed bath? - Answer - Observe standard
precautions, including wearing clean gloves. Other personal protective equipment (PPE) may be
necessary, depending on the patient's condition.
- Check the floors for spills, and make sure equipment is working properly.
- Assess and control the bathwater temperature, especially for patients with reduced sensation,
Avoid hot or excessively cold water, and use a mild cleansing agent that minimizes irritation.
- Do not soak the feet of a patient with diabetes or peripheral vascular disease.
- Follow the package instructions when warming a disposable bath-in-a-bag product.
- To avoid injuring the eyes, ask the patient if he is wearing contact lenses.
- During the bath, assess for signs of warmth, redness, swelling, tenderness, and pain in the
lower extremities, because these might be early signs of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
- Avoid using force and friction when bathing a patient. Do not massage reddened areas,
especially over bony prominences.
- Massage of the legs is also contraindicated, because a blood clot may be present and could
become dislodged.
- Do not use massage for pressure ulcer prevention.
- If one of a patient's extremities is injured or immobilized, dress the affected side first.
What equipment is used for a bed bath? - Answer - gown/pyjamas for patient
- Clean gloves
- Wash cloths and bath towel
- Bath blanket
- Toiletry items (deoderant, lotion etc.)
- Soap
Can a a bed bath be delegated to a nap? - Answer - The skill of a complete or partial bed
bath, or a bath using a disposable bath-in-a-bag product, can be delegated to nursing assistive
personnel (NAP).
What needs to be taught to the NAP before delegating a bed bath? - Answer - Not massaging
reddened skin areas during bathing
- Not soaking the feet or trimming the toenails if contraindicated for the patient
- Reporting to you any changes in the skin or perineal area and any signs of impaired skin
integrity
Questions and All Correct Answers.
What are the safety measures when performing a bed bath? - Answer - Observe standard
precautions, including wearing clean gloves. Other personal protective equipment (PPE) may be
necessary, depending on the patient's condition.
- Check the floors for spills, and make sure equipment is working properly.
- Assess and control the bathwater temperature, especially for patients with reduced sensation,
Avoid hot or excessively cold water, and use a mild cleansing agent that minimizes irritation.
- Do not soak the feet of a patient with diabetes or peripheral vascular disease.
- Follow the package instructions when warming a disposable bath-in-a-bag product.
- To avoid injuring the eyes, ask the patient if he is wearing contact lenses.
- During the bath, assess for signs of warmth, redness, swelling, tenderness, and pain in the
lower extremities, because these might be early signs of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
- Avoid using force and friction when bathing a patient. Do not massage reddened areas,
especially over bony prominences.
- Massage of the legs is also contraindicated, because a blood clot may be present and could
become dislodged.
- Do not use massage for pressure ulcer prevention.
- If one of a patient's extremities is injured or immobilized, dress the affected side first.
What equipment is used for a bed bath? - Answer - gown/pyjamas for patient
- Clean gloves
- Wash cloths and bath towel
- Bath blanket
- Toiletry items (deoderant, lotion etc.)
- Soap
Can a a bed bath be delegated to a nap? - Answer - The skill of a complete or partial bed
bath, or a bath using a disposable bath-in-a-bag product, can be delegated to nursing assistive
personnel (NAP).
What needs to be taught to the NAP before delegating a bed bath? - Answer - Not massaging
reddened skin areas during bathing
- Not soaking the feet or trimming the toenails if contraindicated for the patient
- Reporting to you any changes in the skin or perineal area and any signs of impaired skin
integrity
