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

142

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 7-9

Making an Occupied Bed

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

or nurse. Comments

1. Check chart for limitations on patient’s physical activity.


2. Assemble equipment and arrange on bedside chair in the
   order the items will be used.


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


4. Identify the patient. Explain what you are going to do.


5. Close curtains around bed and close the door to the room,
   if possible.


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


7. Lower side rail nearest you, leaving the opposite side rail
   up. Place bed in flat position unless contraindicated.


8. Put on gloves. Check bed linens for patient’s personal
   items. Disconnect the call bell or any tubes/drains from
   bed linens.


9. Place a bath blanket over patient. Have patient hold on
   to bath blanket while you reach under it and remove top
   linens. Leave top sheet in place if a bath blanket is not
   used. Fold linen that is to be reused over the back of a
   chair. Discard soiled linen in laundry bag or hamper. Do
   not place on floor or furniture. Do not hold soiled linens
   against your uniform.


10. If possible, and another person is available to assist, grasp
    mattress securely and shift it up to head of bed.


11. Assist patient to turn toward opposite side of the bed, and
    reposition pillow under patient’s head.


12. Loosen all bottom linens from head, foot, and side of bed.


13. Fan-fold soiled linens as close to patient as possible.


14. Use clean linen and make the near side of the bed. Place
    the bottom sheet with its center fold in the center of the
    bed. Open the sheet and fan-fold to the center, positioning
    it under the old linens. Pull the bottom sheet over the cor-
    ners at the head and foot of the mattress.

ExcellentSatisfactoryNeeds Practice