Which procedure involves injecting fluid directly into the rectum to help the patient poop?

Study for The Pitt Medical Terminology Test. Prepare with comprehensive flashcards and detailed multiple-choice questions, each question supplemented with hints and explanations. Equip yourself for success on your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which procedure involves injecting fluid directly into the rectum to help the patient poop?

Explanation:
Enema is the procedure that fits this description: it introduces liquid directly into the rectum to soften stool and stimulate the bowel to move, helping the patient evacuate the bowels. This action relies on delivering fluid to the lower colon to increase moisture and trigger peristaltic activity, which promotes a bowel movement. The other options describe different concepts: a colostomy is a surgical opening that diverts stool to a bag, not about injecting fluid into the rectum; a barium enema uses a contrast liquid to image the colon on X-ray, not to relieve constipation; and a suppository is a solid, not a liquid, medication inserted into the rectum to promote defecation by pharmacologic action.

Enema is the procedure that fits this description: it introduces liquid directly into the rectum to soften stool and stimulate the bowel to move, helping the patient evacuate the bowels. This action relies on delivering fluid to the lower colon to increase moisture and trigger peristaltic activity, which promotes a bowel movement. The other options describe different concepts: a colostomy is a surgical opening that diverts stool to a bag, not about injecting fluid into the rectum; a barium enema uses a contrast liquid to image the colon on X-ray, not to relieve constipation; and a suppository is a solid, not a liquid, medication inserted into the rectum to promote defecation by pharmacologic action.

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