Transcript Enema
NUR 213
Enema
Teacher Maryam AL Anazi
Outline
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Definition
Purpose
Action
positions
Types
Commonly used Solution
Nursing intervention
Precautions
Enema
Is the procedure of introducing
liquids into the rectum and large
intestine (colon) via the anus.
Purpose
1. Cleanse the lower bowel. (most common
reason)
2. Soften feces.
3. Expel flatus.
4. Administer medications (worm and parasite
infestations, corticosteroids)
5. Outline the colon during diagnosis x-ray.
Action of enema
to distend the intestine and
sometimes to irritate the
intestinal mucosa , thereby
increasing the peristalsis and the
excretion of feces and flatus.
positions
Types of Enema
A. according
to the
purpose
B. according
to the volume
Types of Enema
according to the purpose
Cleansing
Carminative
Retention
Return –
flow Enema
1- Cleansing Enema
Is intended to remove feces , It is given chiefly to:
1- prevent the escape of feces during surgery .
2- Prepare the intestine for certain diagnostic
tests as x-ray or colonoscopy .
3- Remove feces in instances of constipation .
2- Carminative Enema
Is given primarily to expel flatus.
The solution instilled into the rectum
and the colon thus stimulate
peristalsis .
3- Return – flow Enema
- Is used occasionally to expel flatus.
- Alternating flow of 100- 200 ml of fluid into
and out of the rectum and sigmoid colon
stimulate peristalsis.
- This process is repeated five to six times
until the flatus is expelled and abdominal
distention is relived .
4- Retention Enema
-Introduces oil or medication into the rectum
and sigmoid colon . The liquid is retained
for relatively long period (1-3 hours) .
- An oil retention enema acts to soften the
feces and to lubricate the rectum and anal
canal , thus facilitating passage of stool.
-Antibiotic enemas are used to treat infections locally as warm or parasites .
- Nutritional enema to administer fluids and
nutrients to the rectum .
Barium test
B- According to the volume :
1- Large volume Enema
Large-volume
enemas, which
typically contain
500 to 1000 ml
fluid, are
administered to
cleanse the bowel
2- Small – Volume Enema
Small-volume enemas are used for
the purpose of evacuating stool or
instilling medications in the lower
bowel. These are usually found as
prepackaged solutions, which
contain 150 to 240 ml fluid.
Commonly Used Enema Solution
Solution
constituents
Action
Time to take
effect
Adverse effect
1- Hypertonic
90-120 ml of
sodium
phosphate
+500-1000 tape
water
Draws water
into the colon
5-10 min
Retention of
sodium
2- Hypotonic
500-1000 tape
water
- Distended
colon
-stimulates
peristalsis
- Softens feces
12-20 min
Fluid and
electrolyte
imbalance
3- Isotonic
500-1000 ml
Normal saline
Irritate mucosa
, distended
colon, Softens
feces
15-20 min
Possible
sodium
retention
Commonly Used Enema Solution
Solution
Constituents
Action
Time to take
effect
Adverse effect
4- Soap suds
500-1000 ml (35ml soap to
1000 ml water )
Irritates
mucosa ,
distended
colon, Softens
feces
10-15 min
Irritates and
may damage
mucosa .
5- oil ( olive ,
cottonseed oil)
90-120 ml
Lubricates the
feces and the
colonic mucosa
.
½ - 3 hour
Irritates and
may damage
mucosa
Nursing intervention
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Check doctor`s order
Provide privacy
Promote relaxation
Position the patient
Adult-left lateral position
Infant/small children-dorsal recumbent
position
Precautions
Improper administration of an enema may cause:
1. electrolyte imbalance (with repeated enemas)
2. ruptures to the bowel or rectal tissues resulting in internal
bleeding. (feces are unusually dark or have a red hue).
3. The enema tube and solution may stimulate the vagus
nerve, which may trigger an arrhythmia such as
bradycardia.
4. Enemas should not be used if there is an undiagnosed
abdominal pain since the peristalsis of the bowel can
cause an inflamed appendix to rupture.
5. Regular treatments should be avoided by people with
heart disease or renal failure.
6. inappropriate for people with bowel, rectal or anal
pathologies where the pathology contributes to the risk of
bowel perforation.