American Red Cross Text-Book on Home Hygiene and Care of the SickAmerican National Red Cross
Science
American Red Cross Text-Book on Home Hygiene and Care of the Sick
American National Red Cross
Home nursing; Hygiene; Nurses; Nursing
Next spread the upper sheet over the bed so that its upper edge reaches
to the upper edge of the mattress, and its middle crease lies over the
middle line of the mattress, and place it right side down, so that the
smooth side of the hem will be uppermost when the sheet is turned over
the blankets. Place the blankets so that their upper edges lie a little
higher than the place where the lower edge of the pillow will come, and
tuck them in firmly at the bottom and sides. If the blankets are not
long enough to tuck in at the foot, place the lower blanket as directed
and the upper blanket five or six inches lower than the first. When
tucked in, the upper blanket holds the lower one in place fairly well.
Place the counterpane evenly and smoothly, tuck it under at the foot,
turn its corners neatly, turn its upper edge under the upper edge of the
blankets and fold the upper sheet down over the whole. Last of all,
shake the pillows and place them neatly on the bed.
[Illustration: FIG. 13.--THE CLOSED BED. (_From "Elementary Nursing
Procedures," California State Board of Health._)]
Practice is necessary before it is possible to make a bed quickly and
well, and a certain amount of proficiency in making an unoccupied bed
should be acquired before undertaking to make a bed with a patient in
it. One should learn to work in an orderly way, without confusion,
unnecessary motion, or jarring of the bed.
TO CHANGE A PATIENT'S PILLOWS.--Stand preferably on the right side of
the bed and slip the left arm under the patient's shoulders, supporting
his head in the hollow of the arm. Raise him slightly and remove the
pillows one at a time with the right hand, drawing them outward on the
left side of the bed. Place a small pillow under his head. Shake the
pillows, change the cases if necessary, and replace them on the left
side of the bed, ready to be drawn back into position. Raise the patient
as before, remove the small pillow and draw the others into place. It is
sometimes better to hold the patient on the upper pillow while removing
and replacing the under one.
LIFTING A PATIENT IN BED.--Patients tend to slip down toward the foot of
the bed, and they should be raised if unable to help themselves. To
raise the patient, instruct him to flex his knees and to press his feet
firmly upon the bed; place one arm under his shoulders, as when
changing pillows, the other arm under the thighs, and lift him upward
without jerking. The lifting can be done more easily by two people, and
with less discomfort to the patient: if he is entirely helpless two
people are necessary. Two people should proceed as follows: Let _A_
place her left arm under the patient's head and shoulders as before, her
right arm under the small of his back; let _B_ place her right arm also
under the small of his back and her left arm under his thighs, and at a
signal let them lift together. In this way the weight is so evenly
distributed that a heavy person can be lifted without great difficulty.
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