A client is scheduled for a barium enema. What is the nursing priority

A client is scheduled for a barium enema. What is the nursing priority for this client?

1. Assess bowel sounds.
2. Assess for allergies.
3. Cleanse the bowel.
4. Keep the client NPO.

ANSWER

Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: Assessing bowel sounds is important, but if the bowel is not free of feces, the barium enema will not be accurate.
Rationale 2: Assessing for allergies is important, but if the bowel is not free of feces, the barium enema will not be accurate.
Rationale 3: For visualization of the colon, the bowel has to be cleansed; otherwise the test cannot be performed. Therefore, that is the first priority the nurse must keep in mind.
Rationale 4: Keeping the client NPO is important, but if the bowel is not free of feces, the barium enema will not be accurate.