ATI - Bowel Elimination Exam Questions With
Complete Solutions (Verified And Updated)
A nurse who is administering a return-flow enema to a client. After instilling 100 mL of enema fluid,
which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Lower the container to allow the solution to flow back out.
Return-flow enemas involve moving 100 to 200 mL of fluid into and out of the rectum. After instilling
the solution, the nurse lowers the container to allow the solution to flow back into the container and
then repeats the process several times.
While a nurse is administering a cleansing enema, the patient reports abdominal cramping. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take?
Lower the enema fluid container.
Some abdominal cramping is to be expected during enema administration. To ease the client's
discomfort, the nurse should slow the rate of instillation by reducing the height of the enema fluid
container.
A nurse is administering an enema medicated with sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate) to an
adult client who has hyperkalemia. To which of the following lengths should the nurse insert the
rectal tube?
7.5 cm to 10 cm (3 to 4 in).
This is the appropriate length of insertion for an adult client.
A client who is postoperative is experiencing abdominal distention and is having difficulty expelling
flatus. The nurse should expect the provider to prescribe which of the following types of enemas?
return-flow
Return-flow, or flush, enemas are used to expel flatus, stimulate peristalsis, and relieve abdominal
distention.
A nurse is preparing to administer a cleansing enema to a patient who has poor sphincter control.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Place the patient in the dorsal recumbent position on a bedpan.
A client who has poor sphincter control might not be able to retain the enema solution at all.
Repositioning the client over the bedpan in the dorsal recumbent position after insertion of the rectal
tube will help contain the fluid that is likely to be expelled.
A nurse is preparing to administer an oil-retention enema to a client who has constipation. The nurse
should instruct the client to retain the solution for which of the following durations?
At least 30 min.
The enema will be most effective in softening the stool and lubricating its passageway if the client
retains the oil for a minimum of 30 min.
A nurse is preparing a client for an enema. The nurse should assist the patient to which of the
following positions?
Left lateral with the right leg flexed
Complete Solutions (Verified And Updated)
A nurse who is administering a return-flow enema to a client. After instilling 100 mL of enema fluid,
which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Lower the container to allow the solution to flow back out.
Return-flow enemas involve moving 100 to 200 mL of fluid into and out of the rectum. After instilling
the solution, the nurse lowers the container to allow the solution to flow back into the container and
then repeats the process several times.
While a nurse is administering a cleansing enema, the patient reports abdominal cramping. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take?
Lower the enema fluid container.
Some abdominal cramping is to be expected during enema administration. To ease the client's
discomfort, the nurse should slow the rate of instillation by reducing the height of the enema fluid
container.
A nurse is administering an enema medicated with sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate) to an
adult client who has hyperkalemia. To which of the following lengths should the nurse insert the
rectal tube?
7.5 cm to 10 cm (3 to 4 in).
This is the appropriate length of insertion for an adult client.
A client who is postoperative is experiencing abdominal distention and is having difficulty expelling
flatus. The nurse should expect the provider to prescribe which of the following types of enemas?
return-flow
Return-flow, or flush, enemas are used to expel flatus, stimulate peristalsis, and relieve abdominal
distention.
A nurse is preparing to administer a cleansing enema to a patient who has poor sphincter control.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Place the patient in the dorsal recumbent position on a bedpan.
A client who has poor sphincter control might not be able to retain the enema solution at all.
Repositioning the client over the bedpan in the dorsal recumbent position after insertion of the rectal
tube will help contain the fluid that is likely to be expelled.
A nurse is preparing to administer an oil-retention enema to a client who has constipation. The nurse
should instruct the client to retain the solution for which of the following durations?
At least 30 min.
The enema will be most effective in softening the stool and lubricating its passageway if the client
retains the oil for a minimum of 30 min.
A nurse is preparing a client for an enema. The nurse should assist the patient to which of the
following positions?
Left lateral with the right leg flexed
