The unit nurse is precepting a nursing student who is assisting a client with a femur fracture onto a fracture bedpan. Which action by the student nurse requires intervention by the unit nurse?
The student nurse tries to lift the client onto the bedpan.
The student nurse positions the head of the bed between 30 and 45 degrees.
The student nurse places the call light within reach and tells the client she will return shortly.
The student nurse places the bedpan with the shallow end under the buttocks toward the sacrum.
The student nurse places the bedpan with the deeper end under the buttocks toward the sacrum.
Numbers 1 and 5 are correct.
Rationale: Clients should never be lifted onto a bedpan, as this can cause muscle strain for both the client and nurse. If the client cannot raise up for bedpan placement, the client should be rolled onto the bedpan. The fracture bedpan differs from a regular bedpan in that it is smaller and has a shallow upper end. The shallow end should go under the buttocks, and the deeper end where the handle is should be placed under the upper thighs. Unless contraindicated, the bed should not be placed flat as this causes the client to hyperextend the back while hips are elevated on the bedpan. Placing the call light within reach and stepping out for a few minutes preserves client privacy and dignity. If the client has not called within 5 minutes, the nurse should check back on the client. A confused client may forget that the bedpan is in place and remain on it too long, which can increase the risk of decubitus and/or skin shear.
