Cleaning patients after bowel movements.

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I hope this is not a stupid or idiot question. But, how do does a nursing staff member clean after a bowel movement using a bedpan, or from an accidental soiling of his or herself? Do you use like super strong and thick paper towels the size of bath towels?

On 7/29/2019 at 11:43 PM, Kidsrablast said:

...how do does a nursing staff member clean after a bowel movement using a bedpan, or from an accidental soiling of his or herself...

In a word...carefully ?

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Kidsr -

I'm wondering if the problem may be that it is apparent that English may not be your first language.

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43 minutes ago, Ponymom2 said:

Kidsr -

I'm wondering if the problem may be that it is apparent that English may not be your first language.

Well I did receive a C grade in English 102 during my pre nursing tenure. I guess I didn't realize that RNs would let that bother them and ridicule me for it.

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Nobody ridiculed you over your English. Some of your sentences were difficult to understand which led some to believe that English was not your first language in which case you'd get a pass. Also the phrase "validating to nursing school" is uncommon at least here in the US. What exactly led you to the conclusion that you are being bullied? Nothing in the answers to your question were in the least bit bullying.

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Well I did receive a C grade in English 102 during my pre nursing tenure. I guess I didn't realize that RNs would let that bother them and ridicule me for it.

That is what the college officially called it. Validating. The meaning was that you were officially accepted to begin clinical.

And fwiw, I have an Associate' in General Studies.

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4 minutes ago, Kidsrablast said:

I guess I didn't realize that RNs would let that bother them and ridicule me for it.

Nobody ridiculed you. Nobody. We had some difficulty understanding what you were saying.

And FTR I am not bullying you now.

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Specializes in Travel, Home Health, Med-Surg.

I don't understand why you feel that you are being bullied, ridiculed about your question, or not being treated like an adult.

People have asked you questions (in an attempt to help you with your request/question), that IMO you have taken the wrong way and got offended.

Perhaps you can provide examples of what you are referring to cuz I dont see it.

Still trying to help you....

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The threads have been merged for continuity.

Let's get off the subject of bullying. (thanks)

OP, if you will answer the questions that members ask, it will help them to provide the information you are seeking. You've received several helpful replies and support.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I'm guessing that "immediately call ED to floor report and let transport take them" is not what we're going for in this thread??

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Cover the bedpan with a disposable bed pad, and press the bed pad down into the pan. Make sure the patient in resting on top of a bed pad, then place the bedpan that is covered with a bed pad underneath the patient. Overflowing stool or urine is absorbed by the lined bedpan. Plastic bedpans are one use only, but you don’t have to throw it away because it will still be clean — just throw away the dirty bed pad.

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On 7/31/2019 at 4:28 PM, Wuzzie said:

Also the phrase "validating to nursing school" is uncommon at least here in the US.

I wondered what that meant as well. Never heard the term before.

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On 7/29/2019 at 11:43 PM, Kidsrablast said:

clean after a bowel movement using a bedpan, or from an accidental soiling

I assess the degree of code brown, first degree, second degree or third degree. Always wear gloves and you may have to change gloves or wash hands with gloves on, depending on amount of spread.

First degree, toilet paper and skin barrier reapplication as needed. Just a swipe or two will do.

Second degree, toilet paper, pericleanser wipes or some such stuff, skin barrier reapplication as needed. Get the worst bit with the TP, then the remnants with the wipes and top off with barrier cream.

Third degree, a helper, rolls of toilet paper, lined trash can near by, extra bed pads, soapy water and clean water, scads of washcloths and towels, sheets and whatever else I think I might need, better to have it and not need than not have it and need, then clean and clean and clean, then skin barrier reapplication as needed. It might help to pop an Altoids it helps with tolerating whatever foulness that might be emanating from the source.

Rolling patient side to side with your helper and folding over and containing spillage in bed pads as you go, wiping multiple times from each side with TP and tossing wads of soiled TP into open waste container by each person and changing pads as often as necessary to keep patient from rolling back into soiling. When biggest part is cleaned up, start rolling patient side to side, when turned each person starts using soapy washcloths to clean the body, may also need to change any pads again if smears on them. How this generally works is one person holds the patient on their side while the other is on the posterior side cleaning, then roll over and the other person does the same on their side. Stay mindful of gloves so you don't have a big wad of ya know on your glove and you get it all over yourself, the bed or the poor patient. Keep repeating process till spic n span.

Hope I didn't miss anything. I wrote this up quick. One thing for sure......

They don't show this on "Dirty Jobs" on TV!!!!

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