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

177

Skill Checklists for Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills:

A Nursing Process Approach, 3rd edition

Name Date

Unit Position

Instructor/Evaluator: Position

SKILL 8-16

Assisting With a Sitz Bath

Goal:The patient states an increase in comfort. Comments

1. Review the medical order for the application of a Sitz bath,
   including frequency, and length of time for the application.


2. Gather the necessary supplies and bring to the bedside
   stand or overbed table.


3. Perform hand hygiene and put on PPE, if indicated.


4. Identify the patient.


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


6. Put on gloves. Assemble equipment; at the bedside if using
   a bedside commode or in bathroom.


7. Raise lid of toilet or commode. Place bowl of sitz bath,
   with drainage ports to rear and infusion port in front, in
   the toilet. Fill bowl of sitz bath about halfway full with
   tepid to warm water (37–46C [98–115F]).


8. Clamp tubing on bag. Fill bag with same temperature
   water as mentioned above. Hang bag above patient’s
   shoulder height on the IV pole.


9. Assist patient to sit on toilet or commode and provide any
   extra draping if needed. Insert tubing into infusion port of
   sitz bath. Slowly unclamp tubing and allow sitz bath to fill.


10. Clamp tubing once sitz bath is full. Instruct patient to
    open clamp when water in bowl becomes cool. Ensure
    that call bell is within reach. Instruct patient to call if she
    feels light-headed or dizzy or has any problems. Instruct
    patient not to try standing without assistance.


11. Remove gloves and perform hand hygiene.


12. When patient is finished (in about 15–20 minutes, or pre-
    scribed time), put on clean gloves. Assist the patient to
    stand and gently pat perineal area dry. Remove gloves.
    Assist patient to bed or chair. Ensure that call bell is
    within reach.


13. Put on gloves. Empty and disinfect Sitz bath bowl accord-
    ing to agency policy.


14. Remove gloves and any additional PPE, if used. Perform
    hand hygiene.

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

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