1. The document outlines the steps for bathing a patient, which includes washing the patient's eyes, face, arms, axilla, chest, abdomen, and lower extremities using long strokes with soap and water. 2. Specific instructions are provided for washing different body parts, such as folding a cloth to form a mitt for washing the eyes, asking permission before shaving or applying soap to sensitive areas, and changing the water temperature as needed. 3. The caregiver is directed to thoroughly dry each area after washing and check for signs of injury or discomfort, carefully washing between the toes and filing nails as required.

1. STEPS TO BATHING A PATIENT
1. Wet Cloth in basin & Ring out cloth
2. Fold to form a mitt around your hand
3. Wash eyes from inner to outer
a. Use different part of cloth for each eye
b. Soak eyelid crusts for 2-3 mins
4. Ask if patient wants soap used on face
a. Wash rinse face
i. Forehead, cheeks, nose, ears, neck
5. Ask male patient if they would like to be shaved
6. Place towel beneath arm
a. Wash with water and minimal soap
b. Long firm strokes
c. From fingers to axilla
7. Wash hand and dry
a. If needed, soak hand
8. With patient’s arm held and supported above his head, wash and dry his axilla
a. Apply deodorant if needed
9. Raise rail on that side & Lower rail on other side
10. Place towel beneath other arm and repeat steps 7-9
a. Washing arm, hand, and axilla
11. Cover patient’s chest with bath towel
a. Fold down to belly button
12. Bathe chest using long firm strokes
13. Check water temp and change if necessary
14. Wash the abdomen
a. Drape towels over his chest and abdomen and fold down to pubic region
b. Keep abdomen covered while you work by the towel
c. Pay close attention to belly button and skin folds
d. Dry area and help patient put on a clean gown / pj top
i. Or finish washing and do at the end
15. Wash the lower extremities
a. Cover chest and abdomen with towel
b. Expose one leg
i. Place towel beneath leg
ii. Wash leg using long firm strokes
iii. Wash from ankle to knee
iv. Then knee to thigh
v. Assess for signs of redness, swelling, and pain as you work
vi. Wash patients’ foot
1. Clean between toes carefully
2. Clean and file nails as agency says
3. Soak patients’ feet in water for 10 mins
a. NOT in patient with diabetes or other conditions with impaired sensation
4. Apply lotion
c. Raise hand rail and move to other side and complete step 17 again