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What are urinals and bedpans?
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Urinals or bedpans are devices that allow a person to urinate or have a bowel movement while in bed. Males use a bedpan for a bowel movement and usually prefer to use a urinal to urinate while women would usually use a bedpan for passing urine or having a bowel movement but there are also urinals specially designed for women.
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When are urinals and bedpans required to be used?
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Urinals and bedpans are normally used when an individual cannot access a toilet due to limited mobility, illness, surgery or injury and also in a medical condition where the time between the urge to urinate and actual urination is too short for a trip to the restroom.
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What are the types of bedpans and urinals available in the market?
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There are several different types of bedpans and urinals available in the market, some of which are made of metal and others hard plastic. There are bedpans for people who cannot raise their hips and this may include people with hip fractures or in body casts. Some urinals are meant only for men and others made especially for women. You will also find both the reusable variety and the use-and-throw types. The reusable ones are meant for use by the same person but they need to be washed and disinfected after each use.
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What essential care should be taken by a person who is using a urinal and bedpan?
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A person who is using a urinal and bedpan should have these following items within easy reach: - A basin with warm water
- Disposable gloves
- Toilet paper
- Towels
- Wash cloths
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What are the steps to be followed when placing the urinal?
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- Put the urinal between the legs of the patient
- Put on disposable gloves and spread the legs of the person if he or she cannot do it
- If the person is male, put his penis in the opening at the top of the urinal
- Position the urinal and hold it gently while the person urinates
- When the person is done, carefully remove the urinal
- Gently wipe between the legs with a damp washcloth.
- If the person is a female be sure to clean from front to back
- Dry the area between the legs of the person
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