Placing and Removing a Bedpan

Placing and Removing a Bedpan

Equipment
■ Bedpan.
■ 2 pairs of clean gloves.
■ Toilet tissue.
■ 2 washcloths, towel, and basin.
■ Waterproof pad.
■ Bedpan cover.

Assessment
■ Assess level of consciousness, ability to follow directions, and comfort level (especially note the presence of rectal or abdominal pain, hemorrhoids, or perianal irritation).
■ Be Safe! Ask the primary provider to evaluate unexplained pain.
■ Auscultate bowel sounds, and palpate for distention.
■ Assess physical size and mobility; note whether the patient can sit up or lie flat when using a bedpan.
■ Identify factors that necessitate the use of a fracture pan (e.g., fractured pelvis; total hip replacement; lower back surgery; casts, splints, or braces on lower limbs).
■ Review the chart to determine the need to obtain a stool specimen. Post-Procedure Reassessment
■ Assess the amount and characteristics of urine and/or stool.
■ Observe the skin on the perineum and buttocks for redness and breakdown.

Key Points
■ Don clean procedure gloves.
■ Be Smart! Help the patient to achieve a position on the bedpan that will be most helpful in facilitating urinary or bowel elimination. Use semi-Fowler’s position whenever possible. Modify the position based on the patient’s condition.
■ Be Smart! Stabilize the bedpan when removing it.
■ Provide toilet tissue, clean washcloths, and towels for the patient to perform personal hygiene when elimination is complete. Assist if the patient cannot perform these tasks independently.

Documentation
■ Document the amount of urine voided if I&O are being recorded.
■ Record any unusual characteristics of stool or urine in the nursing notes. If there are no unusual characteristics, you will probably document only in the graphic records.

Placing a regular bedpan

Placing a fracture pan