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Dressing and Undressing a Patient

Written by Hollie Finders, RN
Hollie Finders is a registered nurse with years of experience working in the health care field. She has degrees in both biochemistry and nursing. After working with patients of all ages, Hollie now specializes in pediatric intensive care nursing. Hollie’s LinkedIn

Procedure for Dressing and Undressing a Patient

Equipment needed: patient’s clothing.

  1. Perform hand hygiene.
  2. Have the patient select an outfit to wear and gather those clothing items. Ensure those clothing items are clean and appropriate for the weather.
  3. Explain the procedure to the patient and provide privacy.
  4. Remove the patient’s shirt by undressing the stronger arm first. Then, gently slide the shirt off the patient’s weaker arm.
  5. To dress the patient, perform steps in the opposite order. Assist the patient in dressing the weaker arm first and then proceed to the stronger side.
  6. Continue undressing and dressing the patient in the same fashion for all garments worn.
  7. If the patient is standing, have him or her sit down. Assist him or her in putting on non-skid footwear. Tie laces if shoes are worn.
  8. Assist the patient in fastening any zippers and buttons and align clothing into its proper position.
  9. Place the patient’s personal clothing in a safe place or in a laundry hamper if provided. Place facility gowns into a soiled laundry bag.
  10. Perform hand hygiene.
  11. Document the procedure in the patient’s chart and report any changes in the patient’s condition to the nurse.

Important Information About Dressing and Undressing

Patients who have suffered a stroke or have weakness or injury to one side of their body may struggle with dressing and undressing. In order to help these patients regain their strength and independence, it is important that the nurse’s aide only assist them as needed. The nurse’s aide may need to teach patients how to dress and undress safely with their limitations.

When assisting a patient in dressing and undressing, be sure to move the patient’s limbs gently and in a natural motion. Avoid overextending the patient’s joints, as doing so may result in injury. Limit the use of the patient’s weak extremity by dressing the affected side first and undressing the affected side last.

More Resources

Feeding the Patient

Not all patients will need help feeding themselves. Some patients will only need assistance opening cartons or cutting their food. To promote independence, always let the patient do as much as he or she can before assisting. It is vitally important that the nurse’s aide verifies that the patient receives the correct meal tray. Patients may have special diets that play a critical role in their health (i.e., pureed diet, gluten-free diet, food allergies, etc.). Feeding the wrong food to the wrong patient could result in serious complications.

Making an Occupied Bed

If a patient is bedridden or on bedrest, the bed linens will need to be changed while the patient is in the bed. For safety reasons, the nurse’s aid should avoid making an occupied bed if the patient is able to get out of bed. Bed linens should be changed according to the facility’s policy or anytime they are wet or soiled.

Transferring the Resident from a Bed with a Mechanical Lift

A mechanical lift is used to transfer residents who cannot support their own weight. When used properly, mechanical lifts prevent injuries for both residents and health care workers. It is important that a nurse’s assistant be trained to use the mechanical lift before attempting to operate it. Most facilities require at least two health care workers to assist when using a mechanical lift.

Indwelling Catheter Care

Indwelling catheters allow urine to drain from the bladder. They are used when residents are unable to urinate on their own or when the process of cleaning the resident after urination would be difficult for the resident to tolerate (such as during end of life care). Caring for the catheter appropriately is a vital part of preventing infection and skin breakdown.

Caring for a Patient’s Dentures

For patients with dentures, care of the dentures is just as important as brushing natural teeth. Good denture hygiene and fit helps prevent oral irritation and infection.

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