bedpan

(bed′pan″)

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A pan placed under a bedridden patient for collecting feces and urine. Many diseases, e.g., Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, and dementia, can confine a patient to bed, necessitating the use of bedpans.

PATIENT CARE
Using a bedpan is uncomfortable and awkward and requires more exertion from the patient than using a bedside toilet. Patients, esp. those recovering from myocardial infarction, should not be forced to use a bedpan if it is possible for them to use a bedside toilet.

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