Fundamentals of Nursing Q 3
The charge nurse asks the nursing assistive personnel (NAP) to give a bag bath to a patient with end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. How should the NAP proceed?
A. Bathe the patient's entire body using 8 to 10 washcloths.
B. Assist the patient to a chair and provide bathing supplies.
C. Saturate a towel and blanket in a plastic bag, and then bathe the patient.
D. Assist the patient to the bathtub and provide a bath chair.
Correct Answer: A. Bathe the patient’s entire body using 8 to 10 washcloths.
A towel bath is a modification of the bed bath in which the NAP places a large towel and a bath blanket into a plastic bag, saturates them with a commercially prepared mixture of moisturizer, non rinse cleaning agent, and water; warms in them in a microwave, and then uses them to bathe the patient. A bag bath is a modification of the towel bath, in which the NAP uses 8 to 10 washcloths instead of a towel or blanket. Each part of the patient’s body is bathed with a fresh cloth.
Option B: A bag bath is not given in a chair or in the tub. The bag bath is one alternative to the traditional bed bath used in some nursing homes. The bath is performed with a series of 10 washcloths and a no-rinse liquid cleanser. Close the door and windows to prevent cold drafts and wash hands with warm water before beginning.
Option C: Moisten the washcloths with water and put in a plastic bag with the cleanser. Warm the bag in the microwave for 60 to 90 seconds. Test the temperature of the clothes before touching a resident with them and be careful when you open the bag, as steam can burn.
Option D: Take the bag to the resident’s bedside. When you are not cleaning a body part, keep it covered. Only expose as much of the resident’s body as necessary to adequately clean him or her. Be especially sensitive to exposing genitals, buttocks, and breasts. Bathing can be an extremely stressful experience for residents, so try to make it as easy as possible.