North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Division
Clinical Procedure Manual
Section B – Administration of Medicines and Parenteral Therapy
2.5
Enemas
Objectives
By the end of this session you should know how to:
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Prepare the patient for the procedure;
Collect and prepare the equipment;
Administer an enema.
Indications for administering an enema
An enema is the introduction of liquid into the rectum by means of a tube. There are 3 main types of
enema:
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Enemas containing medication which should be inserted slowly and retained as long as possible;
Stimulant enemas which are used to return faecal matter or flatus within a few minutes;
Enemas which soften and lubricate faeces and should be retained over a specified time.
Equipment
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Tray
Prescribed enema (warmed to room temperature)
Protective covering for bedding
Water soluble lubricant
Disposable gloves
Commode or bed pan if required
Procedure
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Perform hand hygiene;
Collect and prepare equipment;
Explain the procedure to the patient;
Ensure patient’s privacy;
Place patient in left lateral position with knees flexed;
Place protective cover under patient’s buttocks;
Follow procedure for the Administration of Medicines up to “Check patient’s identity”;
Put on disposable gloves;
Lubricate the end of the enema tube;
Squeeze a small amount of fluid to expel air;
Insert the tube into the patient’s rectum in an upward and slightly backward direction for about
7.5cm;
Squeeze and empty the contents of the enema into the rectum;
Remove tube;
Wipe the patient’s anal area with a tissue;
If appropriate, provide bedpan or commode when required;
Dispose of equipment as per Division policy;
Perform hand hygiene;
Document the administration, monitor for after effects and report any abnormalities immediately.
North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Division
Clinical Procedure Manual
Section B – Administration of Medicines and Parenteral Therapy
2.5
Enemas cont.
REFERENCES:
1. Butler, M. (1996) Breath tests and barium procedures: part 2. Practice Nurse 12(2): 136-138.
2. Clarke, B. (1989) Making sense of... bowel preparation for diagnostic procedures. Nursing Times
85(5): 46-47.
3. Conteh, A. and Henwood, S. (2000) Learning curve. Best practice in barium enemas. Nursing Times
96(22): 34-35.
4. Cooke, D. M. (1994) Bowel elimination. in Perry, A. G. and Potter, P. A. Clinical Nursing Skills and
Techniques St Louis, Mosby. Ch.28 pp 771-786.
5. Finlay, T. (1996) Making sense of bowel preparation. Nursing Times 92(45): 38-39.
6. Mallett, J. and Dougherty, L. (2000) Bowel care. in Manual of Clinical Nursing Procedures
Blackwell Science, Oxford. Ch.6 pp 131-145.
7. Moppett, S. (1999) Practical procedures for nurses. Administration of an enema... no. 28.1. Nursing
Times 95(22): insert-8.
8. Puet, T. A., Phen, L., and Hurst, D. L. (1991) Pulsed irrigation enhanced evacuation: new method for
treating fecal impaction. Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation 72(11): 935-936.
9. Schmelzer, M. and Wright, K. B. (1996) Enema administration techniques used by experienced
registered nurses. Gastroenterology Nursing 19(5): 171-175.