ADMINISTERING RECTAL SUPPOSITORIES

Steps
1 Identifies the patient
2 Reviews physician’s order and correlates with findings of
patient’s physical examination
3 Explains the procedure to the patient.
4 Writes medication card
5 Provides privacy
6 Arranges all supplies at bed side.
7 Washes hands
8 Dons gloves
9 Assists patient in assuming left lateral position with upper leg
flexed.
10 Places mackintosh and towel under patient’s buttocks.
11 Keeps patient draped with only anal area exposed
12 Examines the condition of anus externally and cleans the anal
region with gauze pads.
13 Removes suppository from foil wrap
Lubricates gloved index finger of dominant hand.
14 Asks patient to take slow deep breaths through mouth and to relax
anal sphincter.
15 Retracts patient's buttocks with non-dominant hand using gauze
piece. With gloved index finger of dominant hand, insert
suppository gently through anus, past internal sphincter and
against rectal wall 10 cm in adults and 5 cm in children and
infants.
16 Withdraws finger and wipes patient’s anal area with tissue. In
case of glycerine suppository offer bedpan/ commode /assist the
client to the toilet.
17 Asks patient to remain flat or on side for 5 minutes.
18 Checks within 5 minutes to determine if suppository is in place.
Instruct patient to retain suppository for 30 to 45 min.
19 Removes mackintosh and towel.
20 Remove gloves, turning them inside out and dispose in
appropriate receptacle.Washes hands.
21 Discard the waste in appropriate bins and wash, clean, dry and
replace reusable articles.
22 Records and reports patient’s response to medication including
any unusual reactions.