How do I insert my partner a rectal suppository?

Question

Sorry, never done this before and he feels so bad...

he has got a flu and runs a high fever 39.3Celcius... we tried tablets, but as he is really sick, he had to vomit. Now these suppositories are our last hope, but I've never given one to somebody else and I would like to help him and do it for him as quick as possible. I want to avoid him having trouble with it and I think it's more easy for a second person to do it.

In which position should I bring him? How far should I insert it? The advice on the package isn't very useful... Please help us!

Answer 1

Wash your hands before doing anything and wear gloves if at all possible.  Get him to lie on his left side with his legs drawn up.  Use some lubrication on your middle finger and insert it gently as far as your finger will allow.  It can be embarrassing for both parties but it's all over and done with in a matter of moments.  Wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.  

Answer 2

The best position is to have him lie on his left  side ( due to the anatomical position of that area).Have him keep his left leg straight and his right knee bent ( for balance). You can either use a water soluble lubricant ( KY Jelly) to make the insertion easier and less uncomfortable or you can hold it in the palm of your hand to let the suppository become soft ( only for a minute or 2). Then using only one finger, preferably the second finger, place the suppository into the a**s, gently. You will be able to feel when it has been inserted properly

or when it is placed correctly. You should wear a glove to prevent irritation and for hygiene purposes.

Should his illness continue or worsen, then he needs to see his Doc.

Be sure that he is drinking enough fluids ( no juices), water and Gatorade. A fever and vomiting can dehydrate the body. He needs to eat light meals ; toast, scrambled eggs, tea, crackers, yogurt.

I hope that this is helpful and that he feels better soon.

Answer 3

Have him lay on his left side and pull his right leg up to his chest, or have him get on his knees and rest his head on the bed.  (He'll probably be more comfortable in the first position but you can see the target better in the second.)

Put on a rubber glove, spread his cheeks and put a little vaseline or KY jelly on his a**s, then unwrap the suppository.  Push it in as far as you can reach (if you don't push it up far enough it can slip out before it's all the way melted and is more likely to stimulate his bowels so you'd have to do this all over again) and try to make it "land" against the wall of his r****m so it will be absorbed better as it melts.  

That's really it.  It's not that big of a deal, just make sure your fingernail is trimmed short so you don't poke anything in there.  Good luck, hope he feels better soon.

Answer 4

Just shove it up his ar$e.

Answer 5

He can lay on his back and you will just have to push the suppository into his a**s with  your finger.  Its more simple then it seems.  

Answer 6

How did you take his temperature? If it was oral and he's vomiting, you should recheck it in about 30 minutes from the last time he vomited. What kind of suppositories are you giving him? With a fever that high, you can give him two acetaminophen 650mg suppositories or one acetaminophen 650mg suppository and also 800mg of liquid motrin rectally. Use a medicine syringe to instill it in his r****m. We use this approach in the ER for any fever over 103 when a patient is vomiting. How old is he? What other symptoms does he have?