(15) Wash the chest and abdomen.
(a) Cover the patient's chest with bath towel; fold bath blanket down to
waist; and wash the chest with a circular motion. Be sure to cleanse and dry under
breast and skin folds very well.
(b) Fold bath blanket down to pubic area, keeping chest covered with
dry towel. Wash abdomen including umbilicus (using cotton-tipped applicators) and
skin folds. Dry thoroughly.
(c) Raise side rail; empty basin into hopper or stool. Rinse basin and
wash cloth. Refill basin 2/3 full with water at 110 to 115F (43 to 46C).
(16) Wash the lower limb.
(a) Expose the far leg, draping the sheet securely into the groin and
under the thigh. Check to see that genitalia are not exposed when the leg is flexed.
(b) Wash, rinse, and dry the thigh and leg.
(c) Place the basin on a towel on the bed so that the patient's foot can
be immersed in the basin with no pressure on the calf of the leg. Wash the foot, paying
particular attention to the skin between the toes, at the heels, and at the ankles.
Encourage toe and ankle movement. Trim and clean toenails if necessary.
(d) Support the leg at the knee and heel when moving his foot from the
basin. Place the basin on the table. Dry the foot thoroughly, rubbing any calloused
area with a towel to remove dead skin. Apply lotion to the foot and ankle, massaging
the heel in circular motion with the palm of your hand.
(e) Repeat the procedure on the near thigh, leg, and foot.
(f)
Change the bath water and rinse the washcloth thoroughly.
(17) Wash the back and buttocks.
(a) Turn the patient to wash his back and buttocks. His position may
be prone (on the abdomen) or lateral recumbent (on the side), but the entire back and
buttocks should be exposed.
(b) Place the towel close to the back and lengthwise on the bed.
(c) Bathe, rinse, and dry the back from the neck to the sacrum (region
in back of pelvis). Pay particular attention to the folds of the buttocks and anal areas.
MD0556
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