Types of Enemas in Nursing: A Complete Guide for Practice

Did you know that over 20% of hospital patients need an enema at some point during their stay? An enema is when a nurse puts liquid into a person’s rectum to help clean out their bowels. It’s important for things like relieving constipation or getting ready for tests and surgery.

In this blog, you’ll learn about the major types of enemas nurses use and when each type is needed. This is helpful if you want to become a licensed practical nurse and care for patients confidently.

Common Types of Enemas in Nursing Practice

Enemas are important tools nurses use to help patients feel better. They can clean out the bowels, remove gas, or give medicine straight to the body. 

Let’s look at the different types of enemas nursing practice includes and how each works in patient care.

Cleansing Enema

A cleansing enema is used to clear stool from the bowels. Nurses use it before surgery, medical tests, or when a patient is very constipated.

There are three types of cleansing enemas:

• Tap Water Enema: This uses plain water at a safe, warm temperature. It works by softening the stool, which helps it pass through the bowel more easily. Nurses must be careful with the amount used to prevent water from getting into the bloodstream.
• Saline Enema: This combines salt with water to create a gentle solution. It is gentle and safer for children and older adults because it keeps the body’s salt balance normal.
• Soapsuds Enema: This uses a small amount of mild soap mixed with water. The soap irritates the bowel lining a little, which makes it move stool out quickly.

When administering a cleansing enema, nurses ensure the water is at a safe temperature, mix the solution properly, and keep the patient relaxed and at ease during the process.

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Retention Enema

A retention enema stays inside the intestine longer to allow the fluid or medicine to work properly. There are different types of retention enemas:

• Oil-Retention Enema: This uses mineral or vegetable oil. It softens very hard stool so it can come out easily later.
• Medicated Enema: This type carries medicine straight to the bowel. It treats diseases like colitis or infections.
• Nutritive Enema: These were once used to give food or nutrients through the rectum when patients couldn’t eat, but they are rarely used today.

To give a retention enema, nurses use a small amount of liquid and ask the patient to hold it in for at least 30 minutes. They explain each step so patients feel safe and know what to expect.

Medicated Enema

A medicated enema puts medicine right into the bowel lining. For example:

• Kayexalate Enema: This helps reduce high potassium levels by binding to the potassium and allowing it to be removed in the stool.
• Steroid Enemas: Help reduce swelling in diseases like ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.

When giving these enemas, nurses check for allergies, explain the purpose, and tell patients about any side effects to watch for.

Carminative Enema

A carminative enema helps get rid of gas and bloating. It uses solutions like MGW, which has magnesium, glycerin, and water. Nurses give this when patients feel full of gas after surgery or meals.

Return-flow Enema

This enema helps remove gas too. Nurses insert fluid, then let it flow back out. Doing this a few times makes the bowel move and pushes gas out, giving relief.

Learning about the different types of enemas nursing uses is important for every nurse. If you remember from A&P class, the body needs a healthy bowel system to stay strong. Knowing enemas helps you care for patients with confidence and skill.

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Conclusion

Knowing the different types of enemas is important for safe and effective patient care. Nurses play a key role in giving enemas, checking the patient’s response, and keeping them comfortable. Learning these skills through practical nursing programs helps nurses feel confident and provide the best care to their patients every day.