I need to prepare a dementia patient with rectal prolapse for a procedure. The preparatom is identical to a Colonoscopy. We hoped for the hospital but the insurance doesn't cover this. Any tips? How to wash down the solution? To organize it properly?
My mom had her last colonoscopy at the age of 85, pre-cognitive decline. She came out of the anesthesia and said to me "I'm never doing this again". The GI doc showed up a minute later and said "you never have to do this again". We laughed and said we were glad that we were all in agreement.
Who thinks that this is necessary?
Don't take "no" for an answer.
CM it is about a gallon, one glass every 20 minutes.
There are pills that can be given instead of the liquid but I believe there are about 20 so that is another problem.
It may be possible to cleanout with numerous enemas.
Depending on the stage of the patient's dementia is it actually a good idea to do the surgery.
You really need to discuss all this with her gastroenterologist.
Washout could even be done once she is anesthetized. She could take something like Miralax for a few days before and a low residue diet for about a week. Personally I did not find the prep liquid too foul. it was slightly sweet and lemon flavored. I just sat on the toilet for the duration and kept drinking.
This is a question that's really too specific to be answered on a nonmedical forum.
How much fluid do you have to get down her, and in what time frame, and what happens if you can't?
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