Administering A Rectal Suppository Questions
with CORRECT Answers
Question:
The nurse caring for a client has just inserted a rectal suppository. What instruction
does the nurse give at this time?
Answer:
'Remain in horizontal position for 5 minutes.' The client should stay in lateral position for
5 minutes to keep the suppository in place and facilitate absorption. Going to the
bathroom as soon as the client feels the urge does not allow the suppository to be
absorbed into the mucous membranes of the rectum. Sitting up may displace the
suppository and push it farther out of the rectum. The nurse will want to see what kind
of result the suppository has had on the client, so the nurse would not send the client
home.For further understanding, review the Skill Overview for 'Skill 5-21: Administering
a Rectal Suppository.'
Question:
The nurse is caring for an adult client by inserting a rectal suppository. Which action is
appropriate by the nurse?
Answer:
Lubricate the suppository and gloved finger. When inserting a suppository, the nurse
lubricates the suppository and the gloved index finger to help reduce friction and
promote client comfort. The rounded end of the suppository is inserted first, to a depth
of approximately 3 to 4 in (7.5 to 10 cm) to ensure that the suppository is beyond the
internal sphincter. The client should remain still for approximately 5 minutes to promote
absorption of the suppository.For further understanding, review the Skill Overview for
'Skill 5-21: Administering a Rectal Suppository.'
Question:
The nurse is preparing to administer a rectal suppository to an adult client. How many
inches (or centimeters) will the nurse insert the suppository?
Answer:
3 ins (7.5 cm) A rectal suppository must make contact with the rectal mucosa for
absorption to occur, so it should be inserted about 3 to 4 in (7.5 to 10 cm). Inserting the
suppository 1 or 2 in (2.5 to 5 cm) will not make contact with the rectal mucosa and
inserting it 5 in (12.5 cm) could affect the client's comfort level.For further
understanding, review the Skill Overview for 'Skill 5-21: Administering a Rectal
Suppository.'
with CORRECT Answers
Question:
The nurse caring for a client has just inserted a rectal suppository. What instruction
does the nurse give at this time?
Answer:
'Remain in horizontal position for 5 minutes.' The client should stay in lateral position for
5 minutes to keep the suppository in place and facilitate absorption. Going to the
bathroom as soon as the client feels the urge does not allow the suppository to be
absorbed into the mucous membranes of the rectum. Sitting up may displace the
suppository and push it farther out of the rectum. The nurse will want to see what kind
of result the suppository has had on the client, so the nurse would not send the client
home.For further understanding, review the Skill Overview for 'Skill 5-21: Administering
a Rectal Suppository.'
Question:
The nurse is caring for an adult client by inserting a rectal suppository. Which action is
appropriate by the nurse?
Answer:
Lubricate the suppository and gloved finger. When inserting a suppository, the nurse
lubricates the suppository and the gloved index finger to help reduce friction and
promote client comfort. The rounded end of the suppository is inserted first, to a depth
of approximately 3 to 4 in (7.5 to 10 cm) to ensure that the suppository is beyond the
internal sphincter. The client should remain still for approximately 5 minutes to promote
absorption of the suppository.For further understanding, review the Skill Overview for
'Skill 5-21: Administering a Rectal Suppository.'
Question:
The nurse is preparing to administer a rectal suppository to an adult client. How many
inches (or centimeters) will the nurse insert the suppository?
Answer:
3 ins (7.5 cm) A rectal suppository must make contact with the rectal mucosa for
absorption to occur, so it should be inserted about 3 to 4 in (7.5 to 10 cm). Inserting the
suppository 1 or 2 in (2.5 to 5 cm) will not make contact with the rectal mucosa and
inserting it 5 in (12.5 cm) could affect the client's comfort level.For further
understanding, review the Skill Overview for 'Skill 5-21: Administering a Rectal
Suppository.'
