BATHING AN ADULT CLIENT

1. Check the patient’s chart for demographic data, history and current medical condition.

2. Perform hand hygiene and observe other appropriate infection prevention procedures.

3. Gather/obtain the necessary equipment/materials needed for the procedure:

Wash basin or sink with warm water (between 43°C and 46°C), Bath thermometer, Soap and
soap dish, Linens: bath blanket, two bath towels, washcloth, clean gown or pajamas or clean
clothing, additional bed linen and towels if required, Clean gloves if appropriate (e.g.,
presence of body fluids or open lesions), Personal hygiene articles (e.g., deodorant, lotions),
Laundry bag/linen hamper.

4. Proceed to the room of the patient, knock, and close the door for privacy

5. Greet the patient, introduce yourself, and validate the patient’s identity. (Provide for client privacy
by drawing the curtains around the bed or closing the door to the room.)

6. Explain the procedure

I am here to perform bed bathing, I’m going to bath you while you are in bed. it is very
important since it keeps our body clean, it produces relaxation and comfort, prevent and
eliminate unpleasant body odor. And since this is bed bathing, I’m going to touch or expose
certain parts of your body but you have nothing to worry about and I assure you that these
are entirely intended for the procedure. So I’ll ask for your cooperation ma’am. Would that
be okay? Do you have any questions?

7. Perform hand hygiene again if needed

8. Provide for client privacy by drawing the curtains around the bed

Assess the following:

 Physical or emotional factors (e.g., fatigue, sensitivity to cold, need for control, anxiety or
fear)
 Condition of the skin (color, texture and turgor, presence of pigmented spots, temperature,
lesions, excoriations, abrasions, and bruises). Areas of erythema (redness) on the sacrum,
bony prominences, and heels should be assessed for possible pressure sores.
 Presence of pain and need for adjunctive measures (e.g., an analgesic) before the bath
 Range of motion of the joints
 Any other aspect of health that may affect the client’s bathing process (e.g., mobility,
strength, cognition)
 Need for use of clean gloves during the bath

Prepare the client and the environment.

9. Invite a family member or significant other to participate if desired or requested by the client
10. Ensure that the fans, air conditioner are closed, as well as windows to have comfortable
temperature.

11. Ask if the patient wishes to go to the toilet first or just offer a bedpan or urinal this is to prevent
the client from voiding during the procedure because warm water and activity can stimulate the
need to void.

12. Encourage the client to perform as much personal self-care as possible

13. Keep in mind to assess each area of the skin carefully during the bath

Prepare the bed and position the client appropriately (this is to ensure the clients safety and also
promote good body mechanics)

14. Position the bed to a comfortable working height

15. Lower the side rail, keep the other side rail up

16. Assist the client to move closer to where I am working

17. Place the bath blanket (this is to provide comfort, warmth, and privacy to the client). over top
sheet. Ask the client to grasp or hold the top of the bath blanket…

18. Put on gloves

19. Remove client’s gown or soiled clothing. Place gown in linen hamper.

20. Start from the face. We have to begin the bath at the cleanest area and work downward toward
the feet. But before that, we have to make a bath mitt with the washcloth first (A bath mitt retains
water and heat better than a cloth loosely held).

21. Place towel under client’s head.

22. Wash the client’s eyes with water only. Wipe the eyes from inner canthus to outer canthus to
prevent secretions from entering the nasolacrimal ducts, and in cleaning the other eye, we have to
remember to use the other side of the washcloth to prevent transmitting microorganisms from one
eye to the other.

23. Dry.

24. Ask if the client wants to use soap on the face. (The face tends to be drier when you use soap)

25. Wash, rinse, and dry the client’s face, ears, and neck.

26. Remove the towel from under the client’s head.

27. Wash the arms and hands.

28. Place a towel lengthwise under the arm away from you (It protects the bed from becoming wet).
29. Wash, rinse, and dry the arm by elevating the client’s arm and supporting the client’s wrist and
elbow. Clean from the wrist down to the shoulder and axillary, from distal to proximal, this actually
promotes circulation by increasing venous blood return.

30. Apply deodorant or powder if desired.

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

32. Place the client’s hands in the basin.

33. Assist the client to wash, rinse, and dry the hands, paying particular attention to the spaces
between the fingers.

34. Repeat for hand and arm nearest you. Exercise caution if an IV infusion is present, and check its
flow after moving the arm. Avoid submersing the IV site if the dressing site is not a clear, transparent
dressing. (Because gauze dressing becomes contaminated when it becomes wet with the water)

35. Wash the chest and abdomen.

36. Place bath towel lengthwise over chest and fold bath blanket down to the client’s pubic area.
This keeps the client warm while preventing unnecessary exposure of the chest.

37. Wash, rinse and dry the chest and abdomen. Give special attention to the skin under the breasts
and any other skinfolds.

38. Wash the legs and feet.

39. Expose the leg farthest from you by folding the bath blanket toward the other leg, keep the
perineum covered. This promotes privacy and maintains the client’s dignity.

40. Lift leg and place the bath towel lengthwise under the leg.

41. Wash, rinse, and dry the leg from the ankle to the knee to the thigh, or from distal to proximal.
Washing from the distal to proximal areas promotes circulation by stimulating venous blood flow.

42. Do the same for the other leg but if preferred, we can move to cleaning the feet before
proceeding to the other leg).

43. In cleaning the feet, place a bed protector or towel on the bed, put a washbasin on it and then
wash the feet by placing them in the basin of water.

44. Water may become dirty or cold now so we can obtain fresh, warm bathwater. Remember that
when refilling the basin, don’t forget to lower the bed and raise the side rails, this is to ensure the
safety of the client.

45. Wash the back and then the perineum.

46. Assist the client into a prone or side-lying position facing away from you.

47. Place the bath towel lengthwise alongside the back and buttocks while keeping the client
covered with the bath blanket as much as possible.
48. Wash, rinse and dry the client’s back, moving from the shoulders to the buttocks, and upper
thighs, paying attention to the gluteal folds.

49. Remove and discard gloves if used.

50. Perform a back massage.

1. Pour a small amount of lotion onto the palms and hold it for a minute since lotion tends to
feel uncomfortably cold when applied to the back (so it’s better to warm first the solution).

2. Begin in the sacral area using smooth, circular strokes. To the scapulae, then down to the
right and left iliac crests.

*Repeat for 3 to 5 minutes

*Assess for skin redness

3. Pat dry afterwards.

51. Assist the client back to the supine position, and determine whether the client can wash the
perineal area independently. Assuming that she can do it…

52. We can now assist the client with grooming aids such as powder, lotion, or deodorant.

53. Help the patient to put on clean clothing.

54. If the linens are soiled or wet, we can change the linens.

55. Pull up the top linen and remove the bath blanket.

56. Ensure the person’s comfort and good body alignment.

57. Lower the bed to the level specified in the person’s care plan.

58. Make sure that the wheels on the bed are locked.

59. Place the patient’s method of calling for help within reach.

60. Raise the side rails to ensure the safety of the client.

61. Clean up the work area/Do after care.

62. Wash hands and proceed to documentation.