PreOp Patient Education
Saturday, April 26, 2025

Audio Presentation

Assist with Shower


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This information is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. MedSelfEd, Inc. disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.
The supplies you will need to have easily accessible in the bathroom include:
The supplies you will need to have easily accessible in the bathroom include:
<UL><LI>Clean clothing </LI><LI>Skid-proof plastic bath mat </LI><LI>(2) Washcloths </LI><LI>(2) Towels</LI></UL>
  • Clean clothing
  • Skid-proof plastic bath mat
  • (2) Washcloths
  • (2) Towels
<UL><LI>Soap </LI><LI>Shampoo </LI><LI>Plastic pitcher </LI><LI>Skin lotion</LI></UL>
  • Soap
  • Shampoo
  • Plastic pitcher
  • Skin lotion
<UL><LI>Comb and Brush </LI><LI>Disposable gloves </LI><LI>Sealable plastic storage bag</LI></UL>
  • Comb and Brush
  • Disposable gloves
  • Sealable plastic storage bag
Ensure that the bathroom is pleasantly warm, around 70˚. Place the skid-proof plastic bath mat in the tub and fill one-third of the tub with warm water. Test the temperature of the water with your hand.
Ensure that the bathroom is pleasantly warm, around 70˚. Place the skid-proof plastic bath mat in the tub and fill one-third of the tub with warm water. Test the temperature of the water with your hand.
Wash and carefully dry your hands.
Wash and carefully dry your hands.
Put on your disposable gloves.
Put on your disposable gloves.
Help your patient undress and place soiled clothing in the plastic bag in the laundry hamper.
Help your patient undress and place soiled clothing in the plastic bag in the laundry hamper.
If your patient is not strong enough to get into the tub or stand upright long enough to take a shower ...
If your patient is not strong enough to get into the tub or stand upright long enough to take a shower ...
...you can use a bath stool
...you can use a bath stool
...or a bath seat across the tub.
...or a bath seat across the tub.
Help your patient sit on the edge of the tub. If there is a grab bar on the back wall of the tub, have the patient hold it with one hand.
Help your patient sit on the edge of the tub. If there is a grab bar on the back wall of the tub, have the patient hold it with one hand.
Swivel and lift both legs into the tub.
Swivel and lift both legs into the tub.
With the patient seated, it is easiest, and most comfortable for the patient, to use a shower extension.
With the patient seated, it is easiest, and most comfortable for the patient, to use a shower extension.
Again, encourage the patient to do as much as possible for himself.
Again, encourage the patient to do as much as possible for himself.
You may have to help with the back and to make sure all soap is rinsed off the skin.
You may have to help with the back and to make sure all soap is rinsed off the skin.
If it's shampoo time and the patient cannot do it himself,
If it's shampoo time and the patient cannot do it himself,
you can have him hold a dry, folded washcloth over his eyes to protect them.
you can have him hold a dry, folded washcloth over his eyes to protect them.
Pour clean, warm water over the patient's head using a pitcher or a shower extension.
Pour clean, warm water over the patient's head using a pitcher or a shower extension.
Rub in shampoo and massage the patient's head.
Rub in shampoo and massage the patient's head.
Rinse off the shampoo with clean warm water using a pitcher or a shower extension.
Rinse off the shampoo with clean warm water using a pitcher or a shower extension.
Dry the hair.
Dry the hair.
If possible have the patient stand and help him dry his upper body. Otherwise, dry his upper body and arms with him sitting in the tub.
If possible have the patient stand and help him dry his upper body. Otherwise, dry his upper body and arms with him sitting in the tub.
Let the water out of the tub.
Let the water out of the tub.
With the towel over his upper body, help the patient sit on the edge of the tub.
With the towel over his upper body, help the patient sit on the edge of the tub.
Support the patient and help him swivel his legs over the edge of the tub. He can rest for a while, if need be.
Support the patient and help him swivel his legs over the edge of the tub. He can rest for a while, if need be.
Help dry the rest of the body, paying attention to under the arms and other skin creases and between the toes.
Help dry the rest of the body, paying attention to under the arms and other skin creases and between the toes.
Apply body lotion to the skin and help the patient dress.
Apply body lotion to the skin and help the patient dress.
After making your patient comfortable, return to the bathroom, place soiled towels and washcloths in the laundry bag, clean the tub and mop the floor.
After making your patient comfortable, return to the bathroom, place soiled towels and washcloths in the laundry bag, clean the tub and mop the floor.
Remove your gloves, discard them into a plastic storage bag. Seal the bag and place it in the trash.
Remove your gloves, discard them into a plastic storage bag. Seal the bag and place it in the trash.
Carefully wash and dry your hands.
Carefully wash and dry your hands.
If you have a walk-in shower and the patient is strong enough to stand for a shower,
If you have a walk-in shower and the patient is strong enough to stand for a shower,
the helper may need to stay with him and generally help with the procedure.
the helper may need to stay with him and generally help with the procedure.

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