• Unit X

Comfort--
.FACTORS INFLUENCING COMFORT
. COMFORT DEVICEs
SUBJECT: FOUNDATION OF NURSING
(B.SC.NURSING
BY-
I ST
YEAR)
MS. THOUDAM LANGLEN CHANU
DESIGNATION: LECTURER
PRATIKSHA COLLEGE OF NURSING
PANIKHAITI, GUWAHATI
INTRODUCTION
• COMFORT:
It is the state of freedom of pain, discomfort, tension and
anxiety.
It is also defined as contented enjoyment in physical or
mental well being of freedom from pain or trouble or anxiety
• DISCOMFORT:
Discomfort is defined as want of comfort or ease due to
client or annoyance.
DEFINITION
• Comfort devices are articles which would
add to the patient when used, by relieving discomfort and
helping to maintain correct posture.
OR
• Comfort devices are the mechanical
devices planned to provide optimal comfort to an individual.
 PURPOSE OF COMFORT DEVICES
• To provide maximum comfort and relaxation.
• To aid in normal body function.
• To prevent contractures (permanent shortening of a muscle or joint) and
neuromuscular deformities and complications.
• To conserve maximum possible energy by preventing unnecessary strain.
• To relieve pressure on parts of body.
• To prevent falls and accidents.
• To immobilize a body part.
FACTORS PROMOTING AND AFFECTING COMFORT
Factors Promoting Factors AFFECTING
Normal temperature Too high or too low temperature
Normal humidity Dry or too humid environment
Safe , clean , quite and comfortable environment Unsafe , unpleasant and stressful environment

Comfortable positions Uncomfortable positions

No fear Fear
No stress and worry Stress and worry
LIST OF COMFORT DEVICES
• 1.PILLOWS
• 2. BACK REST
• 3. BED CRADLE
• 4. CARDIAC TABLE/ ORTHOPAEDIC TABLE
• 5. MATTRESSES
• 6. TRAPEZE BAR
• 7. FOOTBOARD
• 8.TROCHANTER ROLLS AND HAND ROLLS
• 9. COTTON RINGS
• 10.SAND BAGS
CONTD….
• 11. SIDERAILS
• 12.WEDGE / ABDUCTOR PILLOW
• 13.KNEE REST
• 14.BED BLOCKS
• 14. AIR CUSHION
PILLOWS:
• PURPOSES:
• Used for support to maintain correct body alignment
• Used under head , arms , legs & along spine or abdomen to provide
comfort.
• To relieve dyspnoea
• To promote drainage from abdominal cavity
• To provide a comfortable change of position.
BACK REST
• Support patient’s back at an angle , so that he may maintain a sitting
position.
• It Can be adjusted to desired angle.
• Extra pillows are needed to adjust the position.
• Arms of patient are well supported.
• Used for patients suffering with cardiac &
pulmonary distress.
PURPOSES:
• I . To relieve dyspnoea.
• II. To promote drainage from abdominal cavity.
• III. To provide a comfortable change of position.
BED CRADLE
• These are mostly semicircular in shape,made of wood or metal.
Cradle is often a semicircular frame of metal . Also called
Anderson frame.
• It is a frame used to hold the bed linen from touching the
patient.
• May be made of wood or bamboo.
PURPOSES:
• To prevent pressure from the weight
of linen.
• To allow air to circulate around
lower limbs.
BED CRADLE
• These are used for patients affected by burns.
CARDIAC TABLE / ORTHOPAEDIC TABLE
• It is made up of wood or metal, used to raise the head or foot end
of the bed.
• Bed table is placed in front with a pillow on it, patient can lean
forward & take rest.
PURPOSES:
• Usually for patients who are propped up in a sitting position for
change of position.
• Table without pillow is used for writing & meals
• Used for patient with cardiac conditions & asthma. Makes it
possible to use accessory muscles of Respiration
CARDIAC TABLE / ORTHOPAEDIC TABLE
MATTRESS
• It is special types of mattress filled with water or air which moves
from one part of the mattress to the other thus reducing pressure to
the same area.
• It is mainly of two types:
•1. Air mattress
• 2. Water mattress
PURPOSES:
• To provide comfort
• Used for very thin and very obese patients and
those who are prone to pressure sores.
TRAPEZE BAR
• It is a triangular devices that is attached to over- bed frame.
PURPOSES
• Used enable patient to raise the trunk off the bed
• Used to enable patient to surface or to move up in bed to wheel
chair.
• Used to help the patient in performing exercises that strengthen
upper arms.
TRAPEZE BAR
FOOTBOARD/ FOOT REST
• It is a device that is placed towards the foot of patients bed to
serve as support for his feet
• It is usually made up of wood/plastic/heavy canvas.
PURPOSES:
• To support patients 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
TROCHANTER ROLLS
HAND ROLLS
• These are made of cloth that is rolled into a cylinder about 45
inches long and 2-3 inches in diameter and stuffed firmly .Roll
is placed against palmar surface of hand.
Purposes:
• Maintain thumb in slightly adducted & in opposition to fingers.
• Maintain fingers in slightly flexed position.
HAND ROLLS
COTTON AND RUBBER 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.
SAND BAGS
• These are canvas, heavy, cylindrical or rectangular sand-filled bags which is
made with cloth, rubber or plastic bags.
• It can be shaped to body contours
• It can be used in place of or in addition to trochanter rolls. They should be
covered with towel and placed one on either side of a limb (or part to be
immobilized).
PURPOSES:
• It provide support & shape to body
• Immobilize extremities & maintain specific body alignment
• Used for application of pressure in case of bleeding.
SAND BAGS
SIDE RAILS
Side rails are the bars positioned along the sides of the length
of the bed

PURPOSES:
• Ensure patient’s safety & are useful for increasing mobility
• Provide assistance in rolling from side to side or sitting up in
bed
SIDE RAILS
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
the knees.
BED BLOCK
It is 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.
 ASSIGNMENT
• Q1. Define comfort and comfort devices. Write down the purpose of comfort devices.
What are the factors affecting Comfort?
• Q2. List down the comfort devices which are used in hospital settings.
• Q3. Fill in the blanks:
• …………….. is used to relieve from dyspnoea.
• Trochanter rolls prevent……………….. of legs when patient is in supine position.
• ……………..is used to relieve from pressure sore.
• Sand bags is used to…………………. the part of the body.
Thank you….