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BED MAKING

Most hospital beds have


“high and low” positions that can be adjusted either mechanically or
electrically by a button or lever. The high position permits the nurse to
reach the client, without undue stretching or stooping.
Bed positions
Client sleeping in a variety of bed positions such as back-lying, side-lying or prone (face down)

* Flat Mattress is completely horizontal


– This is to maintain spinal alignment for clients with spinal injuries
* Fowler’s position/ Semi-sitting position
– in which the head of bed is raised to at least 45 angle, Knees may be flexed or horizontal.
– Relief from lying positions
– To promote lung expansion for client with respiratory problem
– Convenient for eating, watching TV, and reading
* Semi-Fowler’s
– Head of bed is raised to only 30 angle
– Relief from lying
– To promote lung expansion
* Trendelenburg position
– Head of bed is lowered and the foot raised in a straight incline
– To promote venous circulation in certain clients.
– To promote postural drainage of basal lung lobe
* Reverse Trendelenburg position
– Head of bed raised and the foot lowered Straight tilt in direction opposite to trendelenburg
position
– To promote stomach emptying and prevent esopha- geal reflex in client with hiatal hernia

Mattresses
- usually covered with water- repellent material that resists soiling and can be cleaned easily
- most have handles on the sides called LUGS by which the mattress can be moved
- many special mattresses are also used in hospitals to relieve pressure on the body’s bony
Prominences such as the heels

Side rails
- or safety sides, used on hospital beds and stretchers
- various shapes and size, usually made of metal
- when being used, the nurse should never leave the bedside while the rail is lowered
- serve as a safe and effective means of preventing clients from falling out of bed

Bed cradles
- a device designed to keep the top bedclothes off the feet, legs and even abdomen of a client
- the bedclothes are arranged over the device and may be pinned in place
- most common type is a curved metal rod that fits over the bed
- part of the cradle fits under the mattress, and small metal

Footboard or footboot
- used to support the immobilized client’s foot in a normal right angle to the legs to prevent plantar
flexion contractures
BEDMAKING
- done in different ways for specific purposes
- done after a client receives certain care and when beds are unoccupied
- beds are often changed after baths
Purpose
1. To provide clean and comfortable bed for the patient
2. To reduce the risk of infection by maintaining a clean environment
3. To prevent bed sores by ensuring there are now wrinkles to cause pressure points.

Unoccupied Bed - can be closed or open

a. Open bed - top covers of an open are folded back


to make it easier for a client to get in
b. Closed bed - open and closed beds are made the
same way, except that the top sheet,
blanket and bed spread of a closed bed are
drawn up to the top of the bed and under
the pillows
c. Anesthetic or Post-operative or Surgical bed
- for clients having a surgery

Occupied bed - is made :

* for clients too weak to get out of bed


* nature of their illness may contraindicate their sitting out of bed
* or they may be restricted in bed by the presence of traction or other
therapies

Things to remember:

All smooth surface of the linens should be in contact with the patient
The larger hem should be place in head part of the bed
(Folding) Bottom Sheet , Rubber Sheet & Cotton draw sheet: Right/smooth sides out
(Folding) Top Sheet: Wrong/rough side out
Cotton draw sheet must be larger than the rubber draw sheet to avoid touching it to the patient‘s
skin that causes irritation
One side first then move to the other side in order to save time and energy
Side rails up (Occupied bed)
Loosen all the Lenin’s first prior to changing occupied bed
Make sure that the linens are wrinkled free and the opening of the pillow case should away from
the door

Equipment:
1. Mattress pad - for comfortability & help to maintain spinal alignment as well support of the
bony prominence of the body
2. Bottom sheet - covers the bed mattress
3. Rubber sheet - protects the bottom sheet from being soiled especially if the patient is soaking
4. Draw sheet - protects the skin from irritation and can be used as lifting the patient
5. Top sheet - serves as cover for warmth & comfort
6. Bath Blanket - (Occupied bed) serves as cover for privacy, warmth & comfort
7. Portable line hamper - for the soiled linens
8. Pillow case - covers the pillow
9. Pillow - for head elevation & comfort
Order of equipment arrangement (from bottom to top)
 Open Bed : Pillow, Pillow Case, Bottom Sheet, Rubber Sheet, Draw Sheet, Top Sheet
 Occupied Bed: Pillow, Pillow Case, Top Sheet, Draw Sheet, Rubber Sheet, Bottom Sheet, Bath
Blanket

Practice Guidelines

1. Wash hands thoroughly after handling a client’s bed linen.


2. Hold linens away from uniform
3. Linen for one client is never (even momentarily) placed on another client’ bed
4. Place soiled linen directly in a portable linen hamper or tucked into a pillow case at the end of the bed
before it is gathered up for disposal
5. Do not shake soiled linen in the air because shaking can disseminate secretions and excretions and the
microorganism they contain.
6. When stripping and making a bed, conserve time and energy by stripping and making up one side as
much as possible before working on the other side
7. To avoid necessary trips to the linen supply area, gather all linen before starting to strip a bed.
Occupied
1. Maintain the client in good body alignment. Never move or position a client in a manner that is
contraindicated by the client’s health. Obtain help if necessary to ensure safety
2. The nurse works quickly and disturbs the client a little as possible to conserve the client’s energy &
move the client gently and smoothly. Rough handling can cause the client discomfort and abrade the skin
3. Explain what you plan to do throughout the procedure before you do it. Use terms that client can
understand
4. Use the bed-making time, like the bed bath time, to assess and meet the client’s need

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