The patient is receiving a soapsuds enema but is having a ...

[ETearle]

The patient is receiving a soapsuds enema but is having a difficult time retaining the fluid. What action should the nurse take? (Select all that apply.)
 
  a. Give the enema slowly.
  b. Place the patient in the dorsal recumbent position on a bedpan.
  c. Give the enema with the patient on the toilet.
  d. Give the enema in the right lateral position.
  e. Give the enema faster.

Question 2

Which of the following approaches is correct technique when wound irrigation is performed?
 
  a. Placing the patient in supine position
  b. Placing the syringe directly into the wound
  c. Using sterile technique for a chronic wound
  d. Selecting a soft catheter for deep wounds with small openings

[mmpiza]

Answer to Question 1

A, B
Give the enema slowly to aid absorption. If the patient is full of stool, retention is difficult. As stool is evacuated, there is more room in the colon for additional fluid. If the patient has poor sphincter control, position the patient on the bedpan in a comfortable dorsal recumbent position. Patients with poor sphincter control cannot retain all of the enema solution. Administering an enema with the patient sitting on a toilet is unsafe because curved rectal tubing can abrade the rectal wall. Enemas are not given to patients in the right lateral position.

Answer to Question 2

D
If the patient has a deep wound with a narrow opening, attach a soft catheter to the syringe to permit the fluid to enter the wound. Position the patient comfortably to permit gravitational flow of irrigating solution through the wound and into the collection receptacle. Hold the syringe tip 2.5 cm (1 inch) above the upper end of the wound and over the area being cleansed; this prevents syringe contamination. Wound cleansing and irrigation are accomplished using sterile technique (surgical wounds) or clean technique (some chronic wounds).