22. The procedure for application
of the warm water bottle
and warm compress.
a. Method of applying warm water
bottle
1) Ask your physician / practitioner
before action.
2) Assemble the equipment.
(a) Warm water bottle (may be disposable).
(b) Pitcher of water at 102' F
(c) Flannel or towel cover for water
bottle.
3) Wash your hands.
4) Prepare yourself mentally
for the application.
5) Water in the pitcher should be
102o F. Check the
temperature with a bath thermometer or your elbow.
6) Fill the warm water bottle half full
of water.
7) There are two methods
for squeezing air out of the bottle.
(a) Place the bag on the edge of
a counter. Have the part of the bag containing the water hanging down.
Place the part of the bag without the water lying on the countertop. Put
your hand on top of the bag at the edge of the counter. Move your hand
slowly toward the opening of the bag, pressing out the air. With the other
hand, close the bag.
(b) Place the warm water bottle in a
horizontal position on a flat surface. Hold the neck of the warm water
bottle upright until you can see water in the neck of the bottle. (The
water squeezes out the air.)
8) Fasten the top tightly.
9) Dry the warm water bottle.
Check for leaks by turning it upside down.
10) Place the warm water
bottle in the flannel cover or wrap it in the towel.
11) Apply it gently to the
proper body area.
12) Never place the warm water bottle
on top of a painful area. The weight will increase the pain. Place it on
the side.
13) Check the skin in 10 to 15 minutes
to be sure temperature is correct and there is no evidence of burning.
14) Check the warm water bottle every
hour to be sure the temperature is correct. Change the water in the bottle
when necessary to continue treatment at the same temperature.
15) Check the skin under the warm
water bottle every hour. If the skin is red, remove the water bottle and
report to your healthcare provider.
16) Clean standard equipment and put
it in its proper place. Discard disposable equipment.
17) Make yourself comfortable.
18) Wash your hands.
19) Remove the bottle if the skin
appears too red or you feel the bottle is "too warm."
20) Report to your healthcare provider
observations of anything unusual.
b. Method of
applying wet warm compress
1) Follow the general procedures
for applying a warm water bottle, but equipment will include the following
items instead of those for a warm water bottle.
(a) Towel-type material large enough
to cover the area (peripads may be used for small areas)
(b) Some kind of clean plastic to place
over the compress for heat retention
2) Dip the towel material into tested
warm water and wring out well.
3) Cover the area with the warm towel
and completely cover the compress with plastic.
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