Tepid Sponge Bath

• Tepid sponge bath


  A bath using tepid water and wash cloth or sponge to reduce fever
• Equipment


  • Basin
  • Pitcher filled with hot water
  • Pitcher with cold water
  • Waterproof underpad or rubbersheet
  • Bath blanket
  • Wash clothes (about 6 pieces)
  • Bath towel
  • Thermometer in a thermometer tray
  • Working gloves
  • Bath thermometer
• Procedure


  1. Take vital signs and assess patient's condition

  2. Explain the procedure to patient or watcher

  3. Wash your hand and assemble all equipment and bring to bedside

  4. Close doors and windows in private rooms and draw curtains in the ward. Put off air conditioner and electric fans

  5. Adjust the bed to the working height

  6. Don gloves. Lay the waterproof underpad

  7. Change the topsheet with a bath blanket and remove patients clothing

  8. Pour/ Mix water in a basin with the temperature of 27-37˚C (80-98˚F). Immerse 6 washcloths to the basin

  9. Apply rolled washcloths to axillae and groin. Apply one on the head

  10. Gently pat the wash cloth on the patient's face, neck extremities, back and buttocks. The whole procedure should last for 30 minutes

  11. Pat dry with bath towel each body part after sponging cover it with the bath blanket

  12. Monitor the patient's reaction to treatment and recheck TPR after 15 minutes and after completing the bath.Discontinue procedure if 1-2˚F above desired level is obtained

  13. Remove washcloths from axillae and groins and pat dry the areas. Change the patients clothing and replace the bath blanket with the topsheet

  14. Lower the bed

  15. Do the after care of equipment used

  16. Document the treatment performed, patients VS, response to the treatment and any complications
• Abdomen and chest are not usually sponged
• Blood vessels are located deeper, and TSB is not very effective to reduce temperature
• The friction of rubbing may raise the body temperature and covering prevents Exposure to draft
• When patient's temperature is slightly above normal, procedure can be discontinued.Temperature will go down naturally and to prevent rebound effect
• Light clothing, sheet maintains the body temperature. Excessive clothing and covering can result to a temperature elevation
• Vital signs checked. Temperature 39˚C. Tepid sponge bath done continuously for 20 minutes

  1. 22-03
• Temperature rechecked 38˚C. Encouraged to increase oral fluid intake

  1. 20 AM
• Temperature decreased to 37.5˚C. kept comfortable in bed

  10 AM
• Elvira Violan, St, N.: ''