Definition
Giving a tepid sponge also known as tepid sponging is a gentle, non invasive nursing intervention used to reduce fever and promote comfort, especially in patients with temperatures between 102°F and 103°F (38.9–39.4°C). It works by enhancing heat loss through evaporation and conduction.
Purpose
To reduce body temperature when fever in itself may be deleterious, e.g., temperature between 102 and 103°F.
Articles
- Bath basin.
- Tepid water (Temperature: 98.6°F or 37°C) in bucket.
- Bath thermometer.
- Wash cloths (6 nos.).
- Long mackintosh/waterproof pad to protect the bed.
- Bath blanket.
- Thermometer tray.
- Bath towels (2 nos.).
- Linen, e.g., bed sheet and gown.
- Articles for cold compress and ice cap
Precautions
- Avoid in patients with chills, open wounds, or impaired thermoregulation
- Never use cold water it may cause vasoconstriction and shivering
- Watch for signs of discomfort, cyanosis, or excessive cooling
Procedure
| NURSING ACTION | RATIONALE | |
| 1. | Before procedure Assess patients baby temperature and pulse rate. | Provides baseline for evaluating response to therapy. Sudden temperature changes may alter pulse. |
| 2. | Explain to patient that the purpose of sponging with tepid water is to cool the body slowly. Briefly describe steps of the procedure. | Procedure can be uncomfortable because of cold applications. Anxiety over procedure can increase body temperature. |
| 3. | Close room door or curtain. | Ensures privacy. |
| 4. | During procedure. Wash and dry hands. | |
| 5. | Place mackintosh under patient and remove gown. | Mackintosh prevents soiling of bed linen, and removing gown provides access to all surfaces. |
| 6. | Keep the bath blanket over body parts not being sponged? Close the windows and door and put off fan. | Prevents drafts. |
| 7. | Check water temperature. | Prevents chilling. |
| 8. | Immerse wash cloths in water and apply wet clothes in each axilla and over groin, as shown in the figure (areas of blue parch) to lower the temperature and changed alongside during the procedure. | Axilla and grain contain a superficial blood vessels application of wet wash seduction of temperature by condition. |
| 9. | Cover one extremity with a wet towel. | |
| 10. | Wet a washcloth and wipe down toward fingers/toes from outer aspect of each extremity and move up from the inner aspect. | |
| 11. | Follow a clockwise sequence for wiping the extremities, each in tum for 5 minutes and then the back and the abdomen. Total of 8 pairs of strokes are done. | |
| 12. | Reassess temperature and pulse every 15 minutes. | Prevents sudden temperature fall. |
| 13. | Change water and reapply sponges to axilla and groin as needed. | Water temperature rises as a result of exposure to patient’s warm body surface. |
| 14. | When the body temperature falls to slightly above normal, discontinue procedure. | Prevents temperature drift to subnormal level. |
| 15. | Dry extremities and body parts thoroughly. | Prevents chilling. |
| 16. | After procedure Dress patient and cover with sheet. | Promotes patient comfort. Excessively heavy covering increases body temperature. |
| 17. | Measure patient’s body temperature and pulse rate. | Temperature indicates response to therapy. |
| 18. | Record time when procedure was started and terminated, vital sign changes, and patient’s response. | Recording communicates care provided in accurate and timely fashion. |
REFERENCES
- Annamma Jacob, Rekha, Jhadav Sonali Tarachand: Clinical Nursing Procedures: The Art of Nursing Practice, 5th Edition, March 2023, Jaypee Publishers, ISBN-13: 978-9356961845 ISBN-10: 9356961840
- Omayalachi CON, Manual of Nursing Procedures and Practice, Vol 1, 3 Edition 2023, Published by Wolters Kluwer’s, ISBN: 978-9393553294
- Sandra Nettina, Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice, 11th Edition, January 2019, Published by Wolters Kluwer’s, ISBN-13:978-9388313285
- Adrianne Dill Linton, Medical-Surgical Nursing, 8th Edition, 2023, Elsevier Publications, ISBN: 978-0323826716
- Donna Ignatavicius, Medical-Surgical Nursing: Concepts for Clinical Judgment and Collaborative Care, 11th Edition ,2024, Elsevier Publications, ISBN: 978-0323878265
- Lewis’s Medical-Surgical Nursing, 12th Edition,2024, Elsevier Publications, ISBN: 978-0323789615
- AACN Essentials of Critical Care Nursing, 5th Ed. Sarah. Delgado, 2023, Published by American Association of Critical-Care Nurses ISBN: 978-1264269884.
- Ernstmeyer K, Christman E, editors. Nursing Fundamentals [Internet]. 2nd edition. Eau Claire (WI): Chippewa Valley Technical College; 2024. PART IV, NURSING PROCESS. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK610818/
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