Mormon Undergarment

They can be removed prn (eg. showers) but once done have another set ready for putting back on. Then follow normal laundry procedures for this patients personal articles - his family might want to do the laundry. Try not to put them on the floor or let them touch the floor if at all possible. They can be set on the bed or a chair as long as they aren't left out all day. Just try to treat them with respect is the main thing. They stand as the persons personal commitment of following the commandments as listed in the bible.

Good question. I am an endowed Latter day Saint (Mormon who has been to the temple and thus wear the garment you speak of - there are several styles/fabrics). I would say to leave it on if possible, if not, remove it and put it in a patient belonging bag, perhaps give it to a family member. If the pt is alert, make sure you let him know what you are doing so he knows that you are not going to throw them away, maybe something like "We need to remove your garments, I will place them in this bag and put them up in this cupboard so you don't lose them." By the way, there is a top too. It is considered a sacred garment so should not be placed on the floor. It the garment is soiled (blood/body fluids etc) and you think it should be thrown away, put it in a bag and give it to a family member for them to dispose of it.

Other things a LDS (Mormon) may need during a hospital stay.

1. If pt is there on a Sunday, 2 or more brethren from church may bring him the sacrament (bread and water). Hopefully the pt is not NPO.

2. The sick are often given a special blessing/laying on of hands for healing purposes by brethren from the church.

3. You may get a lot of visitors...maybe even couple of missionaries!

Hope this helps,

Terri

Thanks for the info. Now I know.

Hellonurse36, Tell us more about the undergarments. Are they blessed? Were they worn/taken to the temple? You said there is a top, do women wear both a top and bottom?

I used to be a member of the RLDS church. I have seen the the LDS temple in Independance and the big one in SLC. They are beautiful monuments to your faith.

Resectfully, Jen

I don't want to sound stupid but what is LDS and what's the deal with the underwear being discussed here? I gather that they have some kind of religious significance, but what? I'm a nurse and would like to know in case I ever run across this situation, thanx.

The undergarments are worn by those from the Latter Day Saints, aka, those of the Mormon faith. If you patient is Mormon, s/he may be wearing such undergarments.

Sorry, I don't know much about the significance of the garments, just know that Latter Day Saints wear them.

I don't want to sound stupid but what is LDS and what's the deal with the underwear being discussed here? I gather that they have some kind of religious significance, but what? I'm a nurse and would like to know in case I ever run across this situation, thanx.

LDS is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Garments are worn by many members of the church and are sacred. They do have a top and bottom for both men and women. We wear them all the time as far as possible, but in the hospital it isn't always possible. Hellonurse covered the nursing aspects. :) When I was in labor with my first baby, I ended up having to have an emergency C-section and in the rush getting me ready for the OR, my top ended up going in the laundry with my gown and the poor nurse had to go digging through the laundry when I asked about it later. They are important, so just make sure they stay with the patient's possessions.

Got a question from an ER standpoint: we don't have many Mormons in our area but we do have some of that faith: if a Mormon is the victim of an emergency, is there a problem with cutting them off? We never throw away clothing that's been cut off without the pt's or family's permission, but is there a problem with cutting them off if necessary?

It is okay to cut them off. An emergency is an emergency. Just make sure you keep them to give to the family or back to the patient later. Don't throw them away.

Jen -

There is a top and bottom for both males and females. Our garments are a constant reminder of the promises made with the Lord in the temple to live righteously and strive to follow His example, as well as a symbol of our modesty in dress. There is nothing secret about our garments, but we do consider them very sacred, and thus don't really write/talk about them in detail.

Terri

Thank you so very much on behalf of all here for kindly educating us on these garments.

I have read about and heard of these and have cared for LDS patients; yet I have never run across these garments. I almost wondered if they really do exist.

I've learned something new today

As previously mentioned, thank you for sharing and for educating us so that we may always remain respectful of the spiritual needs of our patients.