When the nurse encounters resistance when inserting the tubing into a client's rectum, which action is appropriate?

• A. Force the tubing past the resistance
• B. Ask the client to relax and run a small amount of fluid into the rectum
• C. Withdraw immediately
• D. Massage the abdomen to loosen the rectum

Answer: (B)

When insertion meets resistance, the safest approach is to help the client relax and use a small amount of fluid to ease the passage. A tense anal sphincter can grasp the catheter and make advancement difficult or risky to force, potentially causing mucosal injury or perforation. Encouraging slow, deep breaths and asking the client to relax reduces the sphincter tone, while a little fluid provides lubrication and gentle distension that allows the tubing to glide in more comfortably. Forcing the tube or continuing to push against resistance increases risk, and other actions like massage of the abdomen aren’t appropriate as a remedy. If resistance persists after relaxing and a small amount of fluid, reassess before proceeding.