Rationale and key points

Suppositories are used in clinical practice for several purposes, including bowel evacuation and the administration of medicines such as analgesics and antibiotics. A common indication for their use is constipation. This article aims to support nurses to administer suppositories to adults with constipation in a safe, effective and dignified manner.

• Suppositories contain lipophilic fats that melt following insertion into the rectum, releasing a medicine into the body for local or systemic absorption.

• Different types of suppositories are available to treat constipation and the method of insertion varies slightly according to the type used.

• The administration of a suppository for constipation can cause embarrassment and stress for the person, so it is important to take a professional and sensitive approach when performing this procedure.

Reflective activity

‘How to’ articles can help to update your practice and ensure it remains evidence-based. Apply this article to your practice. Reflect on and write a short account of:

• How this article might improve your practice when administering a suppository to an adult with constipation.

• How you could use this information to educate nursing students or colleagues about the technique for administering a suppository to an adult with constipation.