Rectal Medication

Nurses Medications

Published

Hello all,

I was wondering how often rectal medication is administered in the ICU vs. LTC. Are there specific times when it should be avoided? When is it most advantageous to do this instead of IV?

Thanks!

Specializes in School Nursing, Hospice,Med-Surg.

If patient is sans rectum, I've found it is nice to rub that suppository down between your palms into a fine, creamy moisturizer and apply to the patient's dry skin. The patient will get a nice, moist skin effect AND the medicating effect of the suppository. It's a twofer!

Specializes in retired LTC.

EastsideNurse - you are joking, oui??? You do sound very authoritative.

Specializes in School Nursing, Hospice,Med-Surg.

Just trying to help our OP out with one of his/her many homework assignments!

Yes, I'm joking :) I haven't actually tried that but...

Specializes in retired LTC.
Just trying to help our OP out with one of his/her many homework assignments!

Yes, I'm joking :) I haven't actually tried that but...

I've learned some very interesting things here. I'm thinking - could there be some kind of emollient/lubricant thing in the supp that has some

heretofore unknown second use. One the FDA hasn't yet approved? And there are meds that are transdermally used.

You had me going ...

Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.
I've learned some very interesting things here. I'm thinking - could there be some kind of emollient/lubricant thing in the supp that has some

heretofore unknown second use. One the FDA hasn't yet approved? And there are meds that are transdermally used.

You had me going ...

Like Glycerin Suppositories as facial moisturizers? It'd be cheaper than buying some high dollar products. And, no, I haven't tried it; but as long as it was unopened I might be convinced to try it. After all, models used to use Prep H cream to diminish under-eye wrinkles. (Tried that; didn't like it.)

Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.

Suppositories are the only option for patients who are entirely rectums and not much else.

Specializes in Pedi.
If patient is sans rectum, I've found it is nice to rub that suppository down between your palms into a fine, creamy moisturizer and apply to the patient's dry skin. The patient will get a nice, moist skin effect AND the medicating effect of the suppository. It's a twofer!

Bwahahahahaha that's the greatest thing I've read all day.

Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.
Suppositories are the only option for patients who are entirely rectums and not much else.

Got THAT right! :roflmao:

I am enjoying this thread. Maybe we should start our own skin care company.. We could charge BIG bucks to have people come in for suppository skin treatments..

Specializes in Emergency.

Just remember - analgesic is what it is, not where it goes.

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