SOME PRACTICAL NURSING PROCEDURES 185

to advise him to leave the door unlocked, the radiographer giving an

assurance to see that no one goes in while he is there.
If the
patient is not well able to go to the lavatory, or if it is particularly
important to observe the result of the enema, then he must be given a
bedpan. If the patient can sit up, it will not be difficult for him to raise
himself sufficiently for the bedpan to be inserted. If he cannot sit up and
lies supine, he can probably help by pulling up his knees. The radiographer
then puts one hand (the right) under the lower part of his back, and uses
the left hand to insert the bedpan from the patient's left side. If the patient
and frail, he should not be left until he has finished with the bedpan.
ill

is
The result should be observed as to amount, colour, character, and
presence of blood.

A Rectal Wash-out
This of cleansing and emptying the bowel, and
means undertaken
is

is
it
a

as preparation for various procedures — for example, sigmoidoscopy,

surgery to the rectum or colon, and the giving of diagnostic enema in

a
radiological investigation.
The fluid used plain water or normal saline, and the quantity required
is

will be up to pints. given at temperature of ioo0 (370 and should

C)
It
is

F
6

therefore be prepared at few degrees higher than this. The equipment

a

needed the same as that required for the giving of an enema save that
is

a
large funnel used instead of an enema can, and the bedpan replaced
is

is
of
by

large pail which stood upon mackintosh on the floor.

is

square
a

may be wise for the operator to wear mackintosh apron. The jug used
It

for the wash-out fluid should be large one in view of the quantity to be
a

given. A small amount of disinfectant fluid should be put in the bottom

of the pail.
With observance of the same technique as in the giving of an enema,
the fluid
run in slowly, the funnel being kept filled from the jug. When
is

is by

certain amount has been given siphoned back inverting the

it
is
a

funnel over the pail. More then given, and the process repeated until
is

the returning fluid clear.

is

THE CATHETERIZED PATIENT

Catheters are hollow tubes designed to be passed into cavities and passages
of the body. The present section refers
to the catheterization of the urinary
bladder.
This may be undertaken for variety of reasons — for example in cases
a