Subject :FUNDAMENTAL OF NURSING:
UNIT – III
(TOPIC : COMFORT DEVICES )
Introduction:
nursing care meets all client needs. The client most
important basic need is comfort which can be provided
by using various comfort devices , positions and a
comfortable bed.
Comfort Devices _ Definition
Comfort : The absence of irritating stimuli that distract one’s attention
from the task at hand
Comfort devices : comfort devices are the mechanical devices planned to
provide optimal comfort to and individual .
List of comfort devices :
• Pillows • Wedge/ Abductor pillow
• Back rest • Knee rest
• Bed cradle • Bed Blocks
• Cardiac table • Air cushion
• Mattresses • Rubber & cotton rings
• Trapeze Bar • Hand rolls
• Foot board
• Trochanter rolls
• Sandbags
• Side rails
Pillows
1. Purposes :
1 .Used for support ton maintain correct body
alignment .
2. Used under head, arms, legs & along spine or
abdomen to provide comfort .
Support patient’s back at angle , so that he may maintain a
sitting position .
Can be adjusted to desired angle .
Extra pillows are needed .
Arms of patient are well supported .
Used for patient’s suffering with cardiac & pulmonary
distress .
1. Purposes : To relieve dyspnoea
2. To promote drainage from abdominal cavity .
3. To provide a comfortable change of position
Bed cradle:
It is a frame used to hold the bed linen from touching the
patient .
Cradle is a semicircular / rectangular frame of metal .
May be made of wood or bamboo
Purposes :
1. 1. To prevent pressure from the weight of linen .
2. 2.To allow air to circulate around lower limbs .
Cardiac Table
Bed table placed in front with a pillow on it , patient can lean
forward & take rest .
Table without pillow is used to take rest .
Table without pillow is used for writing & meals .
Used for pts with cardiac conditions & asthma .
Position should be changed to relieve fatigue
Purposes : patient can rest over the table with the help of pillow .
Helps to take meals & in writing
MATTRESSES :
Mainly two types :
Air mattresses
Water mattress
Purposes :
1. To provide comfort
2. Used for very thin and very obese patients and those
who are prone to pressure sore .
Trapeze Bar :
Bar is suspended from an overhead frame to head of bed
Purposes:
patient can grasp the bar to raise the trunk off the bed surface or
to move up in bed .
FOOTBOARD :
Device that is placed towards the foot of patient bed to serve as
support for his feet .
Usually made up of wood /plastic / heavy canvas
Purposes :
To support patient’s feet
To prevent foot drop .
TROCHANTER ROLLS :
A cotton bath blanket / sheet is folded lengthwise to width
extending from greater trochanter of femur to lower border of
popliteal space
Purposes :
Prevent external rotation of legs when patient is in supine
position
SAND BAGS :
They are sand filled bags that can be shaped to body contours
Can be used in place of or in addition to trochanter rolls .
Purposes :
Provide support & shape to body
Immobilize extremities & maintain specific body alignment
SIDE RAILS :
Side rails are the bars positioned along the sides of the length of
the bed .
Purposes : ensure patients safety &are useful for increasing
mobility .
Provide assistance in rolling from side to side or sitting up in bed .
WEDGE/ ABDUCTOR PILLOW :
It is a triangular shaped pillow made of heavy foam
purposes :
Used to maintain legs in abduction following total hip
replacement surgery .
Knee Rest :
This is a device placed under the knees to provide comfort .
Purposes:
This gives relaxation and thus relieves pain on tendons beneath
knees .
BED BLOCKS :
Made up of wood or metal .
Purposes : These are used to raise the foot end or head end of
the bed
AIR CUSHION :
Air cushions are made up of rubber and it can be inflated with air
Purposes: used to take off the weight of the body and to relieve
pressure on certain parts of the body .
RUBBER &COTTON RINGS :
These are circular rings made of rubber or cotton
Purposes
These are used to relieve pressure on certain parts of the body
like elbow and heels .
HAND ROLLS :
Made by folding a washcloth in half ,rolling in lengthwise &
securing roll with tape
Roll is placed against palmer surface of hand .
Purposes :maintain thumb in slightly adducted & in opposition
to fingers.
Maintain fingers in slightly flexed position .
