Overview
Introduction
An enema is a rectal intervention, not an automatic response to constipation.
An enema is a rectal intervention, not an automatic response to constipation. A patient with several days of constipation, a distended painful abdomen, vomiting, and no flatus may have an obstruction rather than stool that simply needs stimulation. Introducing fluid into that situation can worsen pain and delay urgent assessment. The safe clinical sequence is to identify the bowel problem, verify that rectal therapy is indicated and ordered, screen for contraindications, choose the product safely, administer it without force, and evaluate the result. Sodium phosphate enemas add a second safety question: can the patient tolerate a sudden phosphate and fluid shift?