BARIUM ENEMA – Purpose, Types, Principle, Preliminary Assessment, Preparation of the Patient, Procedure, After Care and Complication
When barium is instilled rectally to visualize the lower GI tract, the procedure is called a barium enema
PURPOSE
- To detect the presence of polyps, tumors, and other lesion of the large intestine
- To demonstrate any abnormal anatomy or malfunction of the bowel
- To detect diverticula, stenoses, obstructions, inflammation and ulcerative colitis
- For the radiographic examination of the large intestine
TYPES
- Barium sulfate (single-contrast technique) or barium sulfate
- Air (double-contrast technique)
PRINCIPLE
- Clear liquid diet for two days before the test
- Procedure takes about 15-30 minutes during which time X-ray images are taken
- If bowel is clear, clear images are obtained
PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT
- See the doctor’s order or prescription
- See the patient’s condition
- See the whether any allergic reaction is there for patient
- See whether the patient can follow the orders
- Check for all articles in the patient unit
PREPARATION OF THE PATIENT
- Explain the procedure to the patient
- Do colonic irrigation
- Take the ultrasonography and colonoscopy
- Check all the prescriptions of the patient
EQUIPMENT
- Barium sulfate
- Sterile water
- Enema and tubings
- Syringe with needle
- A water-soluble iodinated contrast agent
- Laxatives
- Fluoroscopy screen
- X-ray instruments
- Warm water, air pump, pint measuring jar
PROCEDURE
- Prepare the patient, equipment and seat the patient to the X-ray section
- Barium is mixed with equal amount of water to the suspension used for barium meal
- The enema is set and is allowed to sum slowly through the rectal tube while the radiologist examines the patient under the fluoroscopic screen
- The mixture should be at body temperature and stirred continuously during administration
- It should not be further given without instruction
- Various X-rays are taken to diagnose the problem
- Then, it is removed by cleansing enema or by a laxative
AFTER CARE
- A laxative or cleansing enema is often given after the test to empty the large bowel
- Stools are white for 24 to 72 hours after the examination
- Encourage the client to increase the liquid intake to prevent fecal impaction
- Instruct the client to report any pain, bloating, absence of stool or bleeding
COMPLICATION
- Fecal impaction if the bowel is not cleaned immediately
- Pain bleeding, etc can occur
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Normal placenta