Fundamentals of Nursing Practice

Related Learning Experience, Skills Laboratory

Bed Making

Definition: The process of preparing the bed in different ways for specific
purpose.

Learning Outcomes: After 4 hours of various classroom and laboratory

activities, the Level I learners will be able to:

1. define the following terms:

1.1bed making 1.5 foot drop

1.2fanfold 1.6 bed cradle
1.3mitered corner 1.7 magic Corner
1.4toe pleat

2. discuss the following:

2.1purpose of Bed making

2.2importance of bed making
2.3principles involved in bed making

3. enumerate the following:

3.1common types of bed

3.2special types of bed
3.3kinds of linens

4. state evidenced-based guidelines before, during and after bed making.

5. demonstrate the beginning skills in:

5.1 stripping the bed

5.2 folding linens
5.3 preparing an open, closed and occupied bed
5.4 preparing a post-operative bed

Teaching-Learning Activities
 Class reporting
 Interactive discussion
 Practice demonstration (online)
 Class demonstration (video)

Assessment
1. Conceptual quiz
2. Submission of procedure guide with rationales (Group Work)
3. Individual return demonstration (Video Assignment - Individual)

Learning Resources
  Read the objectives enumerated above and make your notes in advance using
the following references.

1. Potter Patricia A., and Perry Anne Griffin (2017). Fundamentals of

Nursing 9th edition. Singapore: Elsevier.

2. Berman, Audrey, Snyder Shirlee J., and Frandsen, Geralyn (2018). Kozier
and Erb’s Fundamentals of Nursing: Concepts, Process, and Practice 10 th
edition. Philippines: Pearson Education South Asia.

3. Day, Rene, et al. Brunner and Suddarth’s Textbook of Canadian Medical-

Surgical Nursing. Second edition. Wolters Kluwer: Lippincott Williams
and Wilkins. 2010.

4. Rosdahl, Caroline Bunker, and Mary T. Kowalski. Textbook on Basic

Nursing. Ninth edition. Canada: Wolters Kluwer. 2008

5. Sorrention, Shiela A., and Leighann N. Remmert. Mosby’s Essentials for

Nursing Assistants. Google books, March 2014.

6. Evans, Ronald C. Illustrated Orthopedic Physical Assessment. Google

books, 2009.

Stripping the Bed: Removal of used linen and airing of the mattress.
Materials Needed: To be prepared by each student demonstrator: 2 pairs
of clean gloves, yellow plastic for soiled linens with body fluids and hamper.

Procedure Guide: Stripping the Bed

PROCEDURE RATIONALE

1. Don gloves.

2. Place chair at the foot of the bed.

3. Remove pillowcase from pillow. Place

pillow on chair. Place soiled pillowcase
on lower bar of the bed.

4. Loosen all bed linens starting at

center of bed, raising the mattress
with one hand and drawing out of
bedclothes with other.

5. Remove sheets separately. Fold each

linen with soiled part inside. Wrap
them all in a sheet and place on lower
bar of the bed.

6. Roll rubber sheet and place on lower

bar of the bed.

7. Remove mattress cover.

8. Place soiled linen with body fluids

(blood, feces, urine, and etc.) on a
yellow plastic bag.

9. Dispose gloves and wash hands.

Updated: November 2018

Closed Bed: Arranging clean bed linens on patient’s bed ready for
admission.

Materials Needed: A lined tray containing: mattress cover, top sheet,

bottom sheet, pillowcase, rubber sheet, blanket, and cotton draw sheet

Note: All sheets are available in the Central Supply

Procedure Guide: Setting a Closed Bed

PROCEDURE RATIONALE

1. Refold each sheet according to its

system of use.

2. Place clean linens on chair in order of

use. See to it that the bed is flat

3. Cover mattress

4. Place bottom sheet with centerfold in

center in line with rim of mattress at
foot part. Spread across bed. Make
mitered corner on head part. Tuck
extra sheet at side from head to the
foot.

5. Put rubber sheet 12-15 inches from

head of mattress. Cover with draw
sheet. Spread across bed. Tuck
together extra length of draw sheet,
rubber sheet and bottom sheet.

6. Place top sheet in line with mattress

at head part and spread across bed.
Tuck extra length of sheet at foot
part. Miter corners. Allow hang free at
sides.

7. Go to opposite side and repeat same

procedure.

8. Put pillowcase on pillow. To put on,

grasp middle of slip’s bottom. Flip
open and grasp short side of pillow.
Pull pillow, slip over body of pillow.

9. Spread top sheet over pillow.

10. Place dirty linens inside the soiled

pillowcase (inside out).

Updated: November 2018

Post- Operative Bed: Arranging of bed linens to receive the patient who
has just undergone surgery.

Materials Needed: A lined tray containing the following: mattress cover,

tissue wipes, bottom sheet , disposable gloves, rubber sheet, tongue
depressor, cotton draw sheet, washcloth, blanket (thermal),
sphygmomanometer and Stethoscope, pillowcase, emesis basin and top
sheet

Note: All sheets are available in the Central Supply; the rest of the materials
shall be prepared by each student demonstrator

Procedure Guide: Setting a Post-Operative bed

PROCEDURE RATIONALE

1. Make foundation bed

2. Place top sheet. Do not tuck

3. Turn sheet back. Fanfold at sides

4. Fanfold bedding across bed from side

nearest the door.

5. Spread bath towel at head of bed.

6. Place folded blanket across bar at

foot of bed.

7. Equip bedside table with emesis

basin, tissue wipes, tongue blade,
disposable gloves, thermal blanket,
washcloth, BP apparatus and
stethoscope.

Updated: November 2018

Occupied Bed: Making the bed using new bed linens with patient on bed.

Materials Needed: A lined tray containing the following: mattress cover,

disposable gloves, bottom sheet, yellow plastic for soiled linens with body
fluids, rubber sheet, cotton draw sheet, top sheet, pillowcase, blanket, top
sheet

Note: All sheets are available in the Central Supply; the rest of the materials
shall be prepared by each student demonstrator.

Procedure Guide: Setting an Occupied Bed

PROCEDURE RATIONALE

1. Explain procedure to patient.

2. Bring materials to bedside. Place on

chair, at foot side/ part of bed.
Arrange in order of use.

3. Respect and maintain patient

privacy.

4. Don gloves.

5. Position the bed flat if possible, and

raise it to appropriate working
height. Lower side rails nearest you.

6. Loosen all the bedding. Disconnect

the call device; remove the patient’s
personal items from bed.

7. Check that no tubes (e.g., IV,

nasogastric) are entangled in the bed
linens.

8. Slide the patient to the side of bed

farthest from you, and place patient
in a side lying position, facing the
side-rail. Make sure to maintain
privacy of patient by covering patient
with the top sheet.

9. Place pillow under head of patient.

10. Roll or tightly fanfold the soiled

linens toward the patients’ back.
Tuck the roll slightly under the
patient. Cover any moist areas with
a waterproof pad.
 PROCEDURE RATIONALE

11. Place the clean bottom sheet, rubber

sheet and draw sheet on the near
side of the mattress. Open and fold
spread toward the head part, with
the center vertical fold at the center
of the bed. Fanfold the half of the
clean linen toward the center and
under the patient. Make mitered
corner. Tuck the lower edges of
clean linen under the mattress.
Smooth out all wrinkles.

12. Roll the patient over the clean and

dirty linen. Explain to the patient
that he will be rolling over a “lump”,
and then gently pull the patient
toward you so that the patient rolls
onto the clean linen.

13. Raise side-rail on the clean side of

the bed.

14. Move the pillows to the clean side.

Position the patient comfortably on
his side, near the side-rail.

15. Go to the opposite side of bed and

lower the side-rail. Loosen soiled
beddings and pull one by one. Place
at the lower bar of the bed.

16. Pull clean linens through. Tuck

bottom sheet at the head part and
miter at the side.

17. Tighten rubber sheet and draw

sheet. Tuck together with bottom
sheet.

18. Help patient to roll on his back at

the center of the bed.

19. Place clean fan folded sheet over

patient. Cover shoulders. Draw fan
folded sheet together with used top
sheet down to foot part.

20. Tuck clean top sheet down at foot

part of the bed. Make mitered
corner.

21. Fit pillow into new pillowcase.

22. Position bed of patient according to

comfort.
 PROCEDURE RATIONALE

23. Place dirty linens inside the soiled

pillowcase (inside out).

24. Arrange patient’s bedside table.

25. Place soiled linen with body fluids

(blood, feces, urine, and etc.) on a
yellow plastic bag. Carry soiled
linens to laundry.

26. Dispose gloves and wash hands.

Updated: November 2018

 Summary Performance Evaluation for
Bed Making Competency

Name of Student: ______________________________________Section: ________________

Date Performed: _______________________________________

Competency 5 4 3 2 1

Knowing and Understanding the Theory

Answers relevant questions related to Bed Making
Articulates the Nursing Responsibilities of the Nurse Before the Procedure
Articulates the Nursing Responsibilities of the Nurse During the Procedure
Articulates the Nursing Responsibilities of the Nurse After the Procedure
Competence in Bed Making
Explains the procedure to the client therapeutically using appropriate
terms.
Folds linens using the correct techniques
Prepares all the materials according to its system of use.
Strips the bed considering the principle of microbiology.
Observes proper body mechanics while removing the soiled linens and in
performing bed making.
Spreads the linens in the bed utilizing the magic corner and in correct
sequence.
Finishes one side before moving to the other side of the bed.
Miters the sheets securely and appropriately.
Considers the patient’s comfort and condition before finishing the
procedure.
Ensures a neat and presentable output at all times.
Places the soiled linens in appropriate bags.
Does aftercare procedures.
Records and documents the procedure in the patient’s chart including the
relevant information..
Attitude and Professional Conduct
Courteous (Shows respect and is courteous to Teachers and peers)
Disciplined (Punctual and organized in doing the procedure
Upright (Is trustworthy and honest in doing the procedure)
Competent and Committed (Performs the procedure with the client’s
welfare in mind at all times)
Neat (Presents oneself neatly before the start of the procedure and
maintains cleanliness throughout.)
Over-all Score

Additional Remarks:
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Evaluator:

________________________________________
Signature above printed name of Clinical Teacher