suppositories in colostomys?

Nurses Medications

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Hi everyone,

I'm wondering if anyone has inserted a suppository into a stoma. I just had a doctors order a dulcolax suppository to be administered via his ostomy and this is the first time I had ever seen this! The issue was, when inserting it, the suppository kept popping out, which I expected to happen as there is no sphincter like in the rectum. It wouldn't come out all the way, but I wonder how this could even be effective if it wouldn't really stay in all the way. Also, I was nervous because I didn't want to push too far and injure the ostomy...

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When I was a staff nurse, we had a quad who was frequently admitted to our floor. Now, this guy was well educated and had actually gone through law school and passed the bar as a quad. I never gave him a suppository. In fact, he taught me "quad coughing". He eventually passed away. What I did do was put my finger in his stoma to stimulate GI motility. It was a pretty intimate moment, to be honest.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Yes I have given a suppository this way. It's not that uncommon.

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Specializes in Trauma Surgical ICU.

Enema's too :) They don't order them like they used too but it can be done

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And you don't want to hear some of the other things much bigger than suppositories that have gone into ostomies... but some of us here can remember a certain thread....

You can push it in with a gloved finger as deep as you can reach without pushing hard and hold it for a bit to let it start to melt.

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Ok, dumb question but, provided there's still a patent rectum, medications like Tylenol can still be given per rectum in patients with colostomies, right? The medication will still be absorbed.

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I would think so.

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Ok, dumb question but, provided there's still a patent rectum, medications like Tylenol can still be given per rectum in patients with colostomies, right? The medication will still be absorbed.

Yes, of course. The patient may know how much rectum there is left to help you decide.

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Specializes in ED; Med Surg.

Was someone listening to me the other night? Because I had an in depth convo with a doctor about this whole topic.

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What was the gist of this conversation?

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Specializes in ED; Med Surg.

We had an order for a suppository in a colostomy and I asked him what he thought about putting it in her rectum. He said it was fine, told me to use either (since she still had a rectum). We talked about the vascularity of the rectum...etc. Said if I put it in the colostomy that I should hold it in there long enough for it to start to melt. Just like GrnTea said --

It was just comical that I had just had this conversation and then read this post.

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Uuuugh. Just the thought of this gives me the willies - not much does, but this...oh no. I will perform digital disimpactions, PR suppository insertions, enemas, AND clean up the aftermath all day as long as I never have to put my finger in a stoma.

I don't know what it is, but it gives me the same feeling as thinking about someone sticking a finger in my eye.

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