Colonic cleansing, fluid absorption, and discomfort following tap water and soapsuds enemas

Tap water and soapsuds are common enema solutions, but little is known abou t their effectiveness. Consequently, nurses have no guidance when choosing the best enema for a given patient. In this study, liver transplant patient s were given either a tap water or soapsuds enema preoperatively. Amount of enema instilled into the colon and output were measured. Soapsuds enemas p roduced significantly greater output than tap water and were equally well t olerated. Most subjects who received tap water enemas retained more fluid t han was eliminated. Based on these findings, nurses should use caution when giving repeated enemas to patients sensitive to large fluid loads. Copyrig ht (C) 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.