LWBK681-C01_p01-13.
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Skill Checklists for Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills:
A Nursing Process Approach, 3rd edition
Name Date
Unit Position
Instructor/Evaluator: Position
SKILL 1-3
Needs Practice
Using a Cooling Blanket
Satisfactory
Excellent
Goal: The patient maintains the desired body temperature. Comments
1. Review the medical order for the application of the
hypothermia blanket. Obtain consent for the therapy
per facility policy.
2. Gather the necessary supplies and bring to the bedside
stand or overbed table.
3. Perform hand hygiene and put on PPE, if indicated.
4. Identify the patient. Determine if the patient has had any
previous adverse reaction to hypothermia therapy.
5. Close curtains around bed and close the door to the room,
if possible. Explain what you are going to do and why you
are going to do it to the patient.
6. Check that the water in the electronic unit is at the appro-
priate level. Fill the unit two thirds full with distilled water,
or to the fill mark, if necessary. Check the temperature set-
ting on the unit to ensure it is within the safe range.
7. Assess the patient’s vital signs, neurologic status, peripheral
circulation, and skin integrity.
8. Adjust bed to comfortable working height, usually elbow
height of the care giver (VISN 8 Patient Safety Center,
2009).
9. Make sure the patient’s gown has cloth ties, not snaps or
pins.
10. Apply lanolin or a mixture of lanolin and cold cream
to the patient’s skin where it will be in contact with the
blanket.
11. Turn on the blanket and make sure the cooling light is on.
Verify that the temperature limits are set within the desired
safety range.
12. Cover the hypothermia blanket with a thin sheet or bath
blanket.
13. Position the blanket under the patient so that the top edge
of the pad is aligned with the patient’s neck.
Copyright © 2011 by Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Skill Checklists for Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills:
A Nursing Process Approach, 3rd edition, by Pamela Lynn and Marilee LeBon.
LWBK681-C01_p01-13.qxd 9/3/10 5:35 PM Page 7 Aptara Inc
SKILL 1-3
Needs Practice
Using a Cooling Blanket (Continued)
Satisfactory
Excellent
Comments
14. Put on gloves. Lubricate the rectal probe and insert it into
the patient’s rectum unless contraindicated. Or tuck the
skin probe deep into the patient’s axilla and tape it in
place. For patients who are comatose or anesthetized, use
an esophageal probe. Remove gloves. Attach the probe to
the control panel for the blanket.
15. Wrap the patient’s hands and feet in gauze if ordered, or if
the patient desires. For male patients, elevate the scrotum
off the cooling blanket with towels.
16. Place the patient in a comfortable position. Lower the bed.
Dispose of any other supplies appropriately.
17. Recheck the thermometer and settings on the control panel.
18. Remove any additional PPE, if used. Perform hand hygiene.
19. Turn and position the patient regularly (every 30 minutes
to 1 hour). Keep linens free from condensation. Reapply
cream, as needed. Observe the patient’s skin for change in
color, changes in lips and nail beds, edema, pain, and sen-
sory impairment.
20. Monitor vital signs and perform a neurologic assessment,
per facility policy, usually every 15 minutes, until the body
temperature is stable. In addition, monitor the patient’s
fluid and electrolyte status.
21. Observe for signs of shivering, including verbalized sensa-
tions, facial muscle twitching, hyperventilation, or twitch-
ing of extremities.
22. Assess the patient’s level of comfort.
23. Turn off blanket according to facility policy, usually when
the patient’s body temperature reaches 1 degree above the
desired temperature. Continue to monitor the patient’s
temperature until it stabilizes.
Copyright © 2011 by Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Skill Checklists for Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills:
A Nursing Process Approach, 3rd edition, by Pamela Lynn and Marilee LeBon.
