title: Colonic cleansing, fluid absorption, and discomfort following tap water and soapsuds enemas.
abstract: Tap water and soapsuds are common enema solutions, but little is known about their effectiveness. Consequently, nurses have no guidance when choosing the best enema for a given patient. In this study, liver transplant patients were given either a tap water or soapsuds enema preoperatively. Amount of enema instilled into the colon and output were measured. Soapsuds enemas produced significantly greater output than tap water and were equally well tolerated. Most subjects who received tap water enemas retained more fluid than was eliminated. Based on these findings, nurses should use caution when giving repeated enemas to patients sensitive to large fluid loads.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas, Arlington School of Nursing 76019, USA. schmelze@uta.edu
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schmelzer
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Case
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Chappell
authors.forename: K B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Wright
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003106:Colon / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D004733:Enema / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012915:Soaps / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012996:Solutions / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D012915:Soaps; D012996:Solutions; D014867:Water