Nursing How To’s: Changing a Hospital Gown for Patients with an IV line
Annie, a student nurse, stares at the several IV lines of the patient all while wondering how on earth it is possible to change the patient’s gown since from the way it looks, it seems kind of complicated, like a puzzle that is difficult to complete. With all those lines attached to the patient, is changing the patient’s gown even possible? Or is there a way, a technique on how one must do the procedure easily?
Changing a patient’s gown when he/she has an IV line may be a complicated thing to do, however with a certain technique, you can be a pro in changing hospital gowns for patients with IV line. Check out these steps:
Preparation:
- Observe quality-of-life measures.
- Review the information under Delegation and Safety and Comfort.
- Practice hand hygiene.
- Get a clean gown and bath blanket.
- Identify the person. Check the ID bracelet against the assignment sheet. Also call the person by name.
- Provide for privacy.
- Raise the bed for body mechanics. Bed rails are up if used.
Procedure:
- Explain the procedure to the patient.
- Slip the gown completely off the arm without the infusion and onto the tubing connected to the arm with the infusion.
- Holding the container above the client’s arm, slide the sleeve up over the container to remove the used gown.
- Place the clean gown sleeve for the arm with the infusion over the container as if it were an extension of the client’s arm, from the inside of the gown to the sleeve cuff.
- Rehang the container.
- Slide the gown carefully over the tubing toward the client’s hand.
- Guide the client’s arm and tubing into the sleeve, taking care not to pull on the tubing.
- Assist the client to put the other arm into the second sleeve of the gown, and fasten as usual.
- Count the rate of flow of the infusion to make sure it is correct before leaving the bedside.
- Document.
Follow up care:
- Provide for comfort.
- Place the call light within reach.
- Lower the bed to its lowest position. Raise or lower bed rails. Follow the care plan.
- Un-screen the person.
- Complete a safety checkof the room.
- Follow agency policy for dirty linen.
- Practice hand hygiene.
- Ask the nurse to check the flow rate.
Reporting/recording:
- Report and record your observations, including:
- How the person tolerated the procedure
- Any complaints by the person
- Any changes in the person’s behaviors
Sources:
- https://goo.gl/EQwDQR
- http://www.conestogac.on.ca/lrc/videos/mosby/nursingassistantskills/modules/D/skill/D008.html
Liane Clores, RN MAN
Currently an Intensive Care Unit nurse, pursuing a degree in Master of Arts in Nursing Major in Nursing Service Administration. Has been a contributor of Student Nurses Quarterly, Vox Populi, The Hillside Echo and the Voice of Nightingale publications. Other experience include: Medical-Surgical, Pediatric, Obstetric, Emergency and Recovery Room Nursing.
