Skill Checklists for Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills: A Nursing Process Approach

140

Copyright © 2011 by Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Skill Checklists for Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills:

Skill Checklists for Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills:
A Nursing Process Approach, 3rd edition

Name Date

Unit Position

Instructor/Evaluator: Position

SKILL 7-8

Making an Unoccupied Bed

Goal:The bed linens are changed without injury to the patient

or nurse. Comments

1. Assemble equipment and arrange on a bedside chair in the
   order in which items will be used.


2. Perform hand hygiene. Put on PPE, as indicated.


3. Adjust the bed to a comfortable working height, usually
   elbow height of the caregiver (VISN 8 Patient Safety
   Center, 2009). Drop the side rails.


4. Disconnect call bell or any tubes from bed linens.


5. Put on gloves. Loosen all linen as you move around the
   bed, from the head of the bed on the far side to the head
   of the bed on the near side.


6. Fold reusable linens, such as sheets, blankets, or spread, in
   place on the bed in fourths and hang them over a clean
   chair.


7. Snugly roll all the soiled linen inside the bottom sheet and
   place directly into the laundry hamper.Do not place on
   floor or furniture. Do not hold soiled linens against your
   uniform.


8. If possible, shift mattress up to head of bed. If mattress is
   soiled, clean and dry according to facility policy before
   applying new sheets.


9. Remove your gloves, unless indicated for transmission pre-
   cautions. Place the bottom sheet with its center fold in the
   center of the bed. Open the sheet and fan-fold to the center.


10. If using, place the drawsheet with its center fold in the cen-
    ter of the bed and positioned so it will be located under the
    patient’s midsection. Open the drawsheet and fan-fold to
    the center of the mattress. If a protective pad is used, place
    it over the drawsheet in the proper area and open to the
    centerfold. Not all agencies use drawsheets routinely. The
    nurse may decide to use one. In some institutions, the pro-
    tective pad doubles as a drawsheet.


11. Pull the bottom sheet over the corners at the head and
    foot of the mattress. (See the Skill Variation in your skills
    book for using a flat bottom sheet instead of a fitted sheet.)
    Tuck the drawsheet securely under the mattress.

ExcellentSatisfactoryNeeds Practice