68 year old adult presented with constipation for 3 days is prescribed a glycerin suppository. What is the appropriate depth of insertion of the suppository in an adult?

1. A

   1 inch (2.5 cm)

2. B

   2 inch (5 cm)

3. C

   5 inch (12.5 cm)

4. D

   4 inches (10 cm)

Appeared in: NORCET 10 Prelims-2026

Explanation

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• The standard and appropriate depth for inserting a rectal suppository in an adult patient is 1 inches (2.5cm).
• This depth ensures the suppository is placed beyond the internal anal sphincter, which prevents it from being accidentally expelled.
• Positioning the suppository against the wall of the rectum allows for optimal local action (for constipation) or systemic absorption of the medication.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

• Option D : An insertion depth of 4 inch (10 cm) is too shallow for an adult. It would place the suppository within the anal canal, not the rectum, leading to a high likelihood of expulsion before the medication can work.
• Option B: A depth of 2 inches (5 cm) is the correct standard for infants and children, not for a 68-year-old adult. An adult's anatomy requires a deeper insertion.
• Option C: Inserting a suppository to 5 inches (12.5 cm) is unnecessarily deep. It offers no additional benefit over the standard 4-inch depth and could cause patient discomfort.

Related Visual

Clinical Relevance

• Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Medication Administration: Rectal Suppository Insertion as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
• Correct procedural technique is critical for medication efficacy. Inserting a suppository to the wrong depth can lead to treatment failure, requiring repeated doses and causing patient distress.
• Patient safety and comfort are paramount. The nurse must use adequate lubrication and instruct the patient to breathe slowly and relax the sphincter muscle to ease insertion and prevent trauma.
• What if? If the patient has active rectal bleeding, has had recent rectal surgery, or reports severe pain upon attempted insertion, the nurse must withhold the suppository and immediately notify the healthcare provider. Proceeding could cause significant harm.

How to Approach the Question

• First, identify the key clinical parameters in the question: the patient is an adult (68 years old), the medication is a rectal suppository, and the question asks for the insertion depth.
• Recall standard nursing procedures for medication administration. Specifically, focus on the guidelines for the rectal route.
• Crucially, differentiate between the procedural standards for adults and pediatric patients. The patient's age makes the adult guideline applicable.
• Evaluate the given options against the known standard. The textbook standard for adult rectal suppository insertion is 1 inches (2.5 cm).
• Eliminate the other options: 4 inch is too shallow, 2 inches is for children, and 5 inches is excessive.

Concept Tested & Keywords

• Concept Tested: Medication Administration: Rectal Suppository Insertion
• Stem keywords: adult, constipation, glycerin suppository, depth of insertion
• Lead-in keywords: appropriate depth
• Clinical cues: Patient is a 68-year-old adult, which dictates the use of adult-specific procedural guidelines.

Question ID

QOxD1jZmd8EVa_p82sGGin

Copy ID

Reference Book

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 3 p. 166-168