Changing the Bed-clothing.—Before beginning to change the bed-linen or the body-linen the nurse should get everything ready and thoroughly aired and warmed. The patient is moved to the other side of the bed, and the upper and under sheets are loosened; then the upper clothing and under sheets are pushed well over against the patient’s back, and the clean sheet, rubber, and draw-sheet inserted, the under sheet being tucked in at the top and sides, and rolled up close to the soiled sheet (Fig. 1).

The upper clothing is then spread out, and the patient moved back to the clean side, after which the soiled sheets can be removed, and the clean sheets to be well-stretched and tucked in at the top and sides. To change the upper sheet, the spread and one blanket are removed; over the soiled sheet put the clean sheet and blanket; then, with one hand holding the clean sheet and blanket, the soiled sheet and blanket are drawn down toward the foot of the bed and removed with the other hand. In changing the bed in this way we guard against exposing and chilling the patient.

   When the patient cannot turn on the side, the bed-linen should be changed from the top, the soiled sheet being first loosened a the top and sides and pushed well down under the pillow. Another person must assist at the other side of the bed in working down the two sheets; the shoulders, back, and upper part of the thighs of the patient must be raised with one hand, while the sheets are worked down with the other hand. In case of a fractured limb, one person must support the limb above and below the fracture, taking care to raise the limb very gently.

   When arranging the pillows, the head of the patient should be lifted and supported by the nurse’s arm, her hand supporting the back; with the other hand the pillow is turned, the lower pillow being brought under the shoulders to support the back, the upper one to support the head without bringing it too far forward or too far backward. The patient must be permitted to suit herself in arranging her pillows, as every patient has a favorite way. A pillow should never be shaken up on the bed; the upper pillow should be removed and shaken away from the bed, then the second pillow taken out and replaced with a fresh one, so that the patient will always have one pillow.

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This entry was posted on Sunday, May 3rd, 2009 at 7:37 pm.
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