Purpose

• Many hospital patients wear gowns. So do some nursing center residents. Gowns are usually worn for intravenous (IV) therapy. Some agencies have special gowns for IV therapy. They open along the sleeve and close with ties, snaps, or Velcro. Sometimes standard gowns are used.
• For a person with an injury or paralysis, remove the gown from the strong arm first. Support the weak arm while removing the gown. Put the clean gown on the weak arm first and then on the strong arm.

Equipment

Roll cursor over items to see labels. For the purposes of clearly depicting the equipment, a barrier is not shown in this photo. When providing care, a barrier should always be placed on the surface before placing the equipment.

Clean gown

Bath blanket

Delegation

• Follow delegation guidelines. Before changing the gown of the person with an IV, obtain this information from the nurse and care plan:
  • Which arm has the IV
  • If the person has an IV pump
  • What observations to report and record
  • When to report observations
  • What patient or resident concerns to report at once

Preparation

• Observe quality-of-life measures.
• Review the information under Delegation and Safety and Comfort.
• Practice hand hygiene.
• Get a clean gown and bath blanket.
• Identify the person. Check the ID bracelet against the assignment sheet. Also call the person by name.
• Provide for privacy.
• Raise the bed for body mechanics. Bed rails are up if used.

Safety

• IV pumps control the flow rate (how fast fluid enters a vein). If the person has an IV pump and a standard gown, do not use the procedure in this Video Skill. The nurse handles the arm with the IV.
• To change a gown, you must move the IV bag. Moving the IV bag can change the IV flow rate. Always ask the nurse to check the flow rate after you change a gown.
• Do not disconnect or remove any part of the IV set-up.

Comfort

• Some hospital gowns tie at the upper back. The back and buttocks are exposed when the person stands. Cover the person for warmth and privacy. A robe may be used. Or a second gown can be worn backwards to cover the back and buttocks.
• Other gowns overlap in the back and tie at the side. They provide more privacy. Because they tie at the side, avoid uncomfortable bows and knots.

Follow-up Care

• Provide for comfort.
• Place the call light within reach.
• Lower the bed to its lowest position. Raise or lower bed rails. Follow the care plan.
• Unscreen the person.
• Complete a safety check of the room.
• Follow agency policy for dirty linen.
• Practice hand hygiene.
• Ask the nurse to check the flow rate.

Reporting/Recording

• Report and record your observations, including:
  • How the person tolerated the procedure
  • Any complaints by the person
  • Any changes in the person’s behaviors