The nurse is caring for a patient admitted for a severe flare-up of inflammatory bowel disease. The physician has ordered an enema containing betamethasone. The nurse knows that the commonly used type of enema to give a medication is which of these?

A retention enema is typically the best form of enema to deliver medication directly to the mucosal surface of the bowel. Once given, the solution is retained by the patient for an hour or more. This type of enema can also be used to lubricate the rectum and soften stool. A carminative enema is usually given to relieve flatus and stimulate peristalsis to make it easier to defecate. A cleansing enema removes feces and may be helpful in the treatment of constipation as well as the removal of fecal matter prior to screening/diagnostic examinations such as colonoscopies, etc. A return-flow enema has similar applications as a carminative enema and may be used in the treatment of flatulence and/or constipation.