Enema

A nurse is preparing to administer a cleansing enema to a patient who is prone to fecal incontinence due to poor sphincter control and is unlikely to retain the enema solution. Which of the following interventions is appropriate for this patient?

A) Place the patient in the dorsal recumbent position on a bedpan.

A patient who is postoperative is experiencing abdominal distention and is having difficulty expelling flatus. The nurse should anticipate receiving an order from the provider for which of the following types of enemas?

return flow

A nurse is preparing to administer an oil-retention enema to a patient who has constipation. The nurse explains that the patient should try to retain the instilled oil for?

At least 30 min, but preferably as long as he can

A nurse is preparing to administer the first of two large volume, cleansing enemas prescribed for a patient in preparation for a diagnostic procedure. Which of the following is an appropriate step in the procedure?

A) Warm the enema solution prior to instillation

A nurse is preparing an older adult patient for an enema. The nurseshould assist the patient to which of the following positions?

Left lateral with right leg flexed

While a nurse is administering a cleansing enema, the patient reports abdominal cramping. Which of the following is the appropriate intervention?

Lower the enema fluid container

A nurse who is administering a return-flow enema to a patient should instill 100 mL of enema fluid and then

lower the container to allow the solution to flow back out

A nurse is administering an enema medicated with sodium polystyrene sulfonate ( Kayexalate) to an older adult patient who has hyperkalemia. The nurse should insert the tip of the rectal tube:

C) 7.5cm-10cm (3-4in)

anal sphincter

either of two circular muscles (internal and external) that open and close to control evacuation of feces (stool) through the anusanorectal

constipation

hardened stool that is difficult to eliminate and associated with infrequent bowel movements, discomfort, and excessive straining

anorectal

pertaining to the area of the rectum, the distal portion of the large intestine between the sigmoid colon and the anus, and the anus, the opening of the rectum on the body surface

cathartic

an agent that causes emptying of the bowels, generally considered to be stronger than a laxative

colon

the long central part of the large intestine, extending from the cecum to the rectum and comprised of the ascending colon, the transverse colon, the descending colon, and the sigmoid colon

distention

the state of being stretched out or enlarged

descending colon

the portion of the colon between the splenic flexure and the sigmoid colon

defecation

excretion (elimination) of solid waste

laxative

a general classification of a food or chemical substance used to prevent or treat constipation by promoting defecation

enema

introduction of fluid into the rectum to evacuate the bowels, introduce a contrast agent, or provide nutrition or medication

feces

solid waste eliminated from the intestines through the anus; stool

fecal impaction

a collection of hardened feces (stool) in the rectum or sigmoid colon that cannot be expelled naturally

suppository

a solid, dissolvable cone-shaped medication preparation inserted into the rectum, vagina, or urethra

flatulence

excessive formation of gases in the stomach or intestine

obstipation

intractable constipation

stool

solid waste eliminated from the intestines through the anus; fecal matter

occult blood

blood present in such small amounts as to be detectable only by specific diagnostic tests

sigmoid fissure

a break, slit, or tear in soft tissue in the sigmoid colon, the portion of the large intestine between the descending colon and the rectum

rectal

pertaining to the rectum, the distal portion of the large intestine between the sigmoid colon and the anus