You walk into Mr. Henderson’s room after his hip surgery, and he signals he needs to use the bathroom. He cannot lift his hips without wincing in pain. This is exactly when you reach for a fracture pan.
What is a Fracture Pan?
A fracture pan is a specialized bedpan designed with a flat, low-profile rim and a shallower bowl than a standard bedpan. It is specifically created for residents who have hip fractures, hip replacements, back injuries, or other painful conditions that prevent them from lifting their hips. The flat end allows you to slide the pan under the resident without rolling or lifting them, minimizing pain and movement.
Why Fracture Pan Matters in Your Daily Care
Using the correct equipment is essential for protecting your resident’s healing bones and surgical sites. Using a standard pan in this situation would require lifting the resident, causing severe pain and potentially damaging the repair work. The fracture pan allows for safe elimination while maintaining alignment and comfort. It demonstrates your ability to adapt care to specific mobility restrictions.
What You’ll See During Your Shift
You will encounter this often in post-op rooms or for long-term care residents with contractures or severe arthritis. You will notice it looks smaller and flatter than the usual pans. To use it, you roll the resident slightly toward you, slide the flat end under their buttocks, and roll them back onto it.
“Nurse, I assisted Mr. Henderson with the fracture pan. I slid it in from his right side without lifting his hips, and he reported no pain. Output was normal, and I checked his skin afterwards.”
Common Pitfall & Pro Tip
⚠️ Pitfall: Trying to “boost” the resident up to place a regular bedpan because you can’t find a fracture pan. This causes unnecessary pain and violates safety protocols for hip precautions.
Pro Tip: Always warm the rim with warm water (and dry it off) before sliding it under a resident. This reduces shock and makes the process much more comfortable. Also, place a waterproof pad (chux) underneath them beforehand to protect the linens if there are any spills.
Memory Aid for Fracture Pan
Remember: “Flat is Where It’s At.”
The flat side goes under the resident’s back/buttocks. If you try to put the curved side under them, it won’t slide properly.
State Test Connection
This is a critical skill on the CNA clinical exam (Prometric/Pearson VUE), usually appearing in the “Perineal Care” or “Bedpan” skills with a specific scenario stating the resident cannot lift their hips.
Related Care Concepts
Using the fracture pan connects to hip precautions (usually keeping legs in neutral alignment), perineal care (cleaning after elimination), and skin integrity (checking for redness or pressure sores after the pan is removed). It also requires good knowledge of body mechanics to protect your own back while sliding the pan.
Quick Reference
✓ Key steps: Roll resident slightly toward you; slide flat end under buttocks; roll back ✓ When to report: Any signs of skin breakdown on sacrum/coccyx or severe pain during use ✓ Care reminders: • Warm the rim before use • Lower the head of the bed if possible • Provide privacy and wipe front to back • Check skin for redness immediately after removal
Bottom line: The fracture pan is a lifesaver for residents in pain. Using it correctly shows you prioritize their comfort and safety above convenience.