Personal Care and Support Bath: Shower SECTION: 18.04

Personal Care and Support – Bath: Shower SECTION: 18.04 Strength of Evidence Level: 3 __RN__LPN/LVN__HHA

PURPOSE: [Note: Wash the body from clean to dirty areas and To remove waste products from the skin, stimulate the rinse the body well to prevent irritated skin.] skin and improve circulation. To promote health and 9. As needed, assist with shampooing and rinsing well-being. hair. 10. When the patient is finished washing, turn off CONSIDERATIONS: the water and assist the patient out of the shower. Wrap body in a towel to provide 1. Special instructions will be assigned by the nurse warmth and privacy. Assist the patient to sit on regarding safety in the shower. the toilet seat or chair. Offer assistance to dry 2. Provide privacy. Have patient void prior to difficult-to-reach body area(s). procedure. 11. Dry hair with a towel and as needed, assist with 3. Protect patient from exposure, chilling. hair care. 4. Use good body mechanics. 12. As indicated, assist in applying lotion, powder 5. Observe skin condition for dry areas, redness or and/or deodorant. wounds. 13. As needed, assist the patient to dress. 6. Assemble equipment. 14. Assist the patient out of the bathroom to bed or a EQUIPMENT: chair. Return to the bathroom to clean the shower and bathroom area as directed. Remove all used Soap linen and put it in the proper place. Discard soiled Shower cap (optional) supplies in appropriate containers and perform hand hygiene. Washcloth Non-skid bath mat AFTER CARE: Clean clothes 1. Document in patient's record: Equipment to clean shower (optional) a. Patient's response to procedure. Gloves b. Skin condition. c. Assistance required. Towel(s) 2. Report any changes in patient's condition to Powder, lotion, deodorant (optional) supervising nurse.

PROCEDURE: REFERENCES: 1. Adhere to Standard Precautions. Zucker, E. (2000) Being a homemaker and home health 2. Explain procedure to patient. aide. (5th ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall 3. Assess bathroom for cleanliness and safety. Health. 4. If applicable, set up tub or shower chair and place rubber mat on shower floor. A non-slip bath rug may be placed next to the tub or shower. 5. Place the patient's clean clothing in bathroom. Assist the patient to the bathroom and provide privacy. [Note: Assure no electrical appliances are near the shower or may be accidentally exposed to water. Make sure electrical devices are not plugged into electricity during the showering process.] Turn on the shower and adjust the water temperature. Water temperature should be 105-110 degrees Fahrenheit. Test the water temperature on the inside of the wrist to determine temperature. Ask the patient his/her preferred water temperature. Have the patient test the water and adjust the water temperature. 6. Assist the patient to undress and assist the patient into the shower. 7. Allow the patient as much privacy as possible. DO NOT leave the patient unattended during the shower. 8. As needed, assist patient to complete the shower process.