TEPID SPONGE

BATH
BETHANY C. TERUEL, RN, MN

DEFINITION:
THE APPLICATION OF TEPID WATER (80O-90OF) TO THE BODY
SURFACE BY MEANS OF A WET SPONGE.
Purpose:
 To Reduce body temperature
 To Improve circulation
 To Relieve restlessness
 To Assist in the elimination of toxic
materials
 To Provide comfort to the patients
Special Consideration:
The patient should be
protected from draft.
Draft : current of cold air being drawn indoors.
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Preparation

A. Equipment:
• Wash Cloth (2)
• Bath towel
• Bath blanket
• Linens as necessary
• Basin of tepid water (80o-
90oF)
• Bath thermometer (optional)
• Ice cap (with cover)
• Hot water bag (with cover)
Preparation:

B. Patient

1.Take the TPR and record

2.Explain the procedure and its purpose
3.Offer bedpan/urinal
Procedure:
Steps: Rationale:
1. Bring all articles to 1. To conserve time,
the bedside. energy and effort.

2. Close the windows, 2. To prevent drafts and

doors and bed curtains. provide privacy.
Steps: Rationale:
3. Replace top sheet 3. The patient is not
with bath blanket. exposed
unnecessarily, and
Place bath blanket warmth is maintained.
over the patient and
then remove the top This provides
sheet while the uncluttered access
patient holds the bath during the sponge.
blanket.

Remove the patient’s

gown.
Steps: Rationale:

4. Place ice cap with cover

4. To maintain homeostasis
to the head and hot water
bag with cover to feet.
Steps: Rationale:

5. Fill the basin with 5. The gradual decrease in

water. the temperature of water
Start sponging the will be comfortable for the
patient with water at patient and will help
90oF and then cooling prevent chilling
gradually by adding
ice chips until the
temperature of water
has reached 80oF.
Steps: Rationale:
6. Place bath towel 6. This prevents chilling and keeps
crosswise above the the bath blanket dry.
bath blanket, over
the patient chest. • Heat travels from point of higher
temperature to one of lower
Fold the washcloth temperature
like a mitt on your • Using the mitt prevents the loose
hand and sponge ends of the washcloth from
face with S strokes dragging across the patient’s
about 3 times then skin and chilling or irritating
dry with bath towel. the skin
Steps: Procedure:
7. Place bath towel 7. The towel helps to keep
lengthwise below the the bed dry
farther arm.
Heat is lost from the body
Uncover farther arm and through conduction and
sponge it rising, pat even evaporation.
strokes beginning at the
outer surface of the arm, Rubbing the skin will produce
including the palm, then friction adding heat by
increasing cell metabolism
the inner surface pausing
at the axilla.

Pat only but do not rub.

Sponge about 5 times
then dry. Cover with bath
blanket.
Repeat the process on
the nearer arm.
Steps: Procedure:

8. Place bath towel 8. Too much pressure

crosswise over the on the abdomen might
patient chest. damage or add injury
on the underlying
Sponge neck, chest and organs.
abdomen about 5 times
avoiding any pressures
on the abdomen.

Dry with bath towel.

Steps:
9. Place bath towel below
the farther thigh and leg.
Expose farther thigh and
leg, and then sponge
about 5 times then pat dry.
Rationale:
9. The towel protect linens
and prevents patient from
feeling uncomfortable
from a damp or wet bed

Cover with bath blanket.

Repeat the process on the

nearer thigh and leg.
Steps: Rationale:
10. Turn the patient to 10. Follows the principle of
side, place bath towel asepsis
lengthwise at the back of
the patient and sponge
starting from the nape,
back and upper buttocks
about 5 times then pat
dry.
Steps: Rationale:

11. Replace bath This provides for the

blanket with top sheet. patient’s warmth and
Put on patient gown. comfort.

12. Change bed linens

as necessary. Leave
ice cap and hot water
bag in place for 30
minutes.
Steps: Rationale:
13. After 30 minutes
remove ice cap and hot
water bag.

Take the temperature

and record.

14. Wash and dry

articles.
Return to CSR.
Charting:

A. Time of treatment
B. Treatment done
C. Reaction of patient
D. TPR before the treatment
E. Take temperature ½ hour after the procedure.
Graph the drop temperature using broken lines
THANK
YOU!