Bathing
Before starting a bed bath, this is the first safety step after hand hygiene.
What is verify patient identity using two identifiers?
When washing the perineal area of a female patient, wipe in this direction.
What is front to back?
Soiled linens are placed here immediately after removal.
Water proof laundry bag
Angle the toothbrush at about this degree toward the gumline.
What is 45 degrees?
Never do this with linens because it disperses microorganisms.
What is shake them?
This item keeps the patient warm and maintains dignity during a bed bath.
What is a bath blanket?
For uncircumcised males, do this after glans cleaning.
What is return the foreskin to its natural position?
To reduce pressure and moisture, add this protective layer if ordered.
What is an incontinence pad/waterproof underpad?
Clean a patient’s dentures in this location to prevent breakage if dropped.
What is over a towel-lined sink or basin of water?
Hold used linens this way during transport to hamper contamination.
What is away from your uniform and close to the bed?
To clean the eyes, wipe in this direction with a damp, no-soap cloth.
What is from the inner canthus to the outer canthus?
After a CHG bath, avoid applying this product unless policy allows.
What is lotion or emollient that may inactivate CHG?
Before leaving, do these two safety checks on the made bed.
What are bed in lowest position and call light within reach?
For an unconscious patient, position this way to reduce aspiration risk.
What is side-lying (lateral) with suction at the ready?
This sheet under the torso aids turning and reduces shear.
What is a drawsheet (lift sheet)?
This bed position protects the nurse’s back and improves body mechanics.
What is raising the bed to waist/working height?
Moisture from incontinence damages skin via this mechanism pair.
What are maceration and irritation?
After vomiting, avoid immediate brushing; instead, first do this.
What is rinse with water or a bicarbonate solution to protect enamel?
Finish corners this way on an unoccupied bed for a snug fit.
What are mitered corners?
Clean the body using this principle to reduce infection risk.
What is clean-to-dirty (least soiled to most soiled)?
Hospital policies often prefer these over basins to lower HAI risk.
What are CHG (chlorhexidine) wipes?
You discover lice (pediculosis) while changing linens; add this precaution to standard.
What are contact precautions?
Oral care frequency for high-risk or ventilated patients helps to decrease the risk of which common respiratory complication?
What is pneumonia?
When changing an occupied bed, keep the patient covered with this.
What is a bath blanket/top sheet for privacy and warmth?