Giving supps to npo, palliative, colostomy patients

Published

Need help with a situation

I have a palliative patient who is NPO and off all meds other then comfort measure. She has a colostomy and is literally in her final days. She no longer talks or swollows. Today she has a fever of 39.6C. My Question is:

I want to give her an acet supp as its all I have in my palliative kit for a fever however how do I go about this in patient with colostomy? I have mixed reviews from non-scholarly sources and some say do it rectally and it will work providing there is some bowel, others say put it in the colostomy. What is the correct answer? Do I even bother considering she is very palliative?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It's clearly up to you but from what I understand temperatures are fairly common at the end of life d/t dehyrdration. You aren't going to be curing this person, only making them comfortable.

If you think they're in pain from the fever, then treat. But if they appear comfortable I wouldn't worry too much.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

What about IV tylenol? does she have IV access?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

moved for best response....If there is a rectum I give the suppository there if not it may be given on the stoma

Up Vote Up Vote ×

As Esme said, per rectum if there is one. A stoma doesn't necessarily mean that there is no rectum.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion