Ch 11 / Nurse Aide TrainingProviding Care for the Person’s Surroundings

Chapter 11
Providing Care for the Person’s Surroundings

GOALS

After reading this chapter, you will have the information needed to:

Respect a person’s belongings while maintaining his or her place.
Use and maintain different types of equipment for a bed.

After practicing the skills, you will be able to make an unoccupied and an occupied bed safely and efficiently.

Key Terms

bed linens

Sheets, pillowcases, mattress covers, blankets, bedspreads.

environment

The surroundings in which a person lives.

incontinent

Unable to control the release of urine or feces.

miter

To square off corners of bed linens by neatly tucking them under each other.

Scenario — Mrs. Ryan shares a room with Louise Wang. Moving her quilts, books, or photos without asking left her feeling disrespected. Honor home space and belongings while providing care.

What Is a Person’s Place?

Home is personal space—where people feel safe and belong. Whether hospital room, nursing home, or private residence, maintaining this environment is part of dignified care. Personal items often carry deep meaning; treat them with care.

Respecting Belongings

Ask about personal preferences (e.g., number of pillows, favorite blanket).
Before moving items, ask where they should go and explain what you’re doing.
If personal items (glasses, books) are in bed, ask where to place them.
Tell the person when you plan to make or change the bed.
Adapt to the home setting—materials and space vary; maintain safety and dignity.

Types of Beds

Gatch-Frame Bed

Joints allow head/foot to be raised. Some are manual (bar or cranks); some raise/lower the entire bed.

Electric Bed

Head and foot sections raise/lower electrically; controls are typically within the person’s reach.

Specialty Beds

Stryker frame: person secured between frames and flipped supine↔prone without shifting.
Clinitron: warm-air fluidized mattress that conforms to the body—used for severe bedsores/burns.
Low bed: bed kept in lowest position; sometimes mattress on floor for safety.
Air bed: air-filled mattress to reduce pressure.

Special Equipment for Beds

Pressure-reduction/polycore mattress: prevention/treatment of pressure sores.
Foam mattress pad (EGGCRATE): place wavy side up; tuck sheets loosely; use a drawsheet to move the person (not the foam pad).
Alternating pressure pad (air mattress): pump fills/empties channels; check tubing; avoid pinching with tight linens; never use pins.
Foot board: keeps foot at right angle; toes straight.
Bed cradle: keeps top linens off toes/pressure areas.

Bedmaking

Clean, fresh beds are vital—especially for people who spend much of the day in bed. Change wet/contaminated linens immediately. Frequency depends on facility policy and individual needs; many facilities change in the morning after bathing/grooming.

How to Make a Bed

Work Efficiently

Stack linens in the order you’ll use them (bottom sheet/mattress pad on top of stack).
Fold reusable blankets/spreads and place on a clean chair until needed.
Make one side at a time to reduce reaching and twisting.
Set bed flat and at working height for an unoccupied bed; only as flat as tolerated for an occupied bed.

Protect Your Back & Control Infection

Use good body mechanics; squat/kneel (back erect) if bed is low.
Bring only linens you will use into the room (extras must be laundered once brought in).
Use fitted or flat sheets; linens may include mattress pads/covers.

Precautions for Bedmaking

Check linens for personal items (glasses, dentures) before removing.
Keep the side rail up on the side you’re not working on.
Help the person roll onto their side; never leave the person alone.
Keep clean linens on clean surfaces; avoid contact with the floor.
Remove/replace linens carefully—do not shake (prevents spread of dust/germs).
Keep dirty linens away from your uniform.
Explain steps and obtain permission—side rails or wall placement can act as restraints.

End of Chapter 11 — Providing Care for the Person’s Surroundings