Dressing and Undressing the Client Performance Checklist

Dressing and Undressing the Client

Check care plan for direction and client needs. Perform hand hygiene. Assess the client’s status before undertaking the activity. Explain the procedure to the client. Provide for privacy.

Collect clothing as requested by client.

Raise the bed to a comfortable working height. Place the client in the supine position.

Do not expose the client during the procedure. Undress unaffected side first.
Back-opening garments:

• Slide the garment onto the arm and shoulder of the unaffected side.
• Slide the garment onto the arm and shoulder of the affected side.
• Raise the client’s head and shoulders. Bring the sides of the garment to the back.

If the client is in the side-lying position:

• Turn the client toward you. Bring one side of the garment to the client’s back.
• Turn the client away from you. Bring the other side of the garment to the client’s back.
• Fasten buttons, zippers, etc. Place the client in the supine position.

Front-opening garments:

• Slide the garment onto the arm and shoulder on the affected side.
• Raise the client’s head and shoulders.
• Bring the side of the garment around to the back.
• Help the client lie down. Slide the garment onto the arm and shoulder of the unaffected arm.

If the client is not able to raise head and shoulders:

• Turn the client toward you. Tuck the garment under the client.
• Turn the client away from you. Pull the garment out from under the client.
• Turn the client back to the supine position. Slide the garment over the arm and shoulder of the unaffected side.
• Fasten buttons, zippers, etc.

Pullover garments:

• Place the client in the supine position. Bring the neck of the garment over the head.
• Slide the arm and shoulder of the garment onto the client’s affected side.
• Raise the client’s head and shoulders. Bring the garment down. Slide the arm and shoulder of the garment onto the unaffected side.

Place socks and footwear on the client.

Place pants on the client

• Slide the pants over the feet and up the legs. Ask the client to raise hips and buttocks off the bed and bring the pants up over the buttocks and hips.

If the client is not able to raise the hips and buttocks:

• Turn the client onto the unaffected side. Pull the pants over the buttock and hip on the affected side.
• Turn the client onto the affected side. Pull the pants over the buttock and hip on the unaffected side.
• Place the client in the supine position.
• Fasten buttons, zipper, and belt if worn.

Perform hand hygiene. Provide for safety and comfort. Tidy area.

Undressing the Client: Upper body clothing to remove front-opening garments

• Undo buttons, etc.
• Slide the garment off the shoulder and arm on the unaffected side. Raise the client’s head and shoulders. Bring the garment over to the affected side. Lower the client’s head and shoulders. Remove the garment from
  the affected side.

If you cannot raise the client’s head and shoulders:

• Turn the client toward you. Tuck the removed part of the garment under the client. Turn him or her onto the side away from you.
• Pull the side of the garment out from under the client. Make sure he or she will not lie on it when supine. Return the client to the supine position. Remove the garment from the affected side.

Undressing the Client: Lower body clothing

• Remove footwear.
• Loosen buttons, etc. Remove belt if worn.
• Ask client to lift hips and buttocks up off the bed.
• Slide the pants down over the hips and buttocks.

If the client cannot lift his/her hips off the bed:

• Turn the client toward their affected side. Slide the pants off the hip and buttock on the unaffected side.
• Turn the client toward their unaffected side. Slide the pants off the hip and buttock on the affected side.
• Slide the pants down the legs and over the feet.

Perform hand hygiene. Provide for safety and comfort. Tidy area.

Report and record observations according to agency policy.