The nurse is orienting a graduate nurse to a medical-surgical unit. The nurses receive an order to administer a whole bowel irrigation. The graduate nurse would be correct to
a. have the patient drink a solution of polyethylene glycol.
b. administer a high-dose rectal laxative.
c. insert an oral-gastric tube so that the patient does not have to drink the solution.
d. administer enemas until clear.
ANS: A
Whole bowel irrigation is done with a solution of polyethylene glycol, which contains balanced electrolytes. The patient can drink the solution, or it can be delivered through a nasogastric tube so that it passes through the small and large intestines.
Administration of a high-dose rectal laxative will not help evacuate the entire intestinal tract.
An oral-gastric tube is not appropriate because it will be extremely uncomfortable for an alert patient beyond the initial insertion. If the patient cannot tolerate drinking the solution, a nasogastric tube may be inserted to administer the solution. Discomfort from the tube should be limited to the insertion process.
Administering enemas until they run clear is not useful for evacuating the entire intestinal tract.
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