Guidelines for the safe and effective use of sodium phosphate solution for bowel cleansing prior to colonoscopy

Gastroenterol Nurs. 2008 Sep-Oct;31(5):327-34; quiz 334-5. doi: 10.1097/01.SGA.0000338276.55660.d4.

Abstract

Oral sodium phosphate solution is used worldwide as a bowel preparation for colonoscopy, surgery, and medical-imaging procedures. Although recent reports of adverse renal effects associated with sodium phosphate raise concern, sodium phosphate preparations remain safe and effective choices for patients who receive proper instruction for their use. Improper use of any bowel preparation can lead to complications. The purpose of this article is to provide a guide for selecting those patients for whom oral sodium phosphate solution is an appropriate bowel-cleansing choice and to review the importance of patient education, dosing, and hydration to help ensure that clinicians and patients use these preparations safely.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acute Kidney Injury / chemically induced
  • Administration, Oral
  • Algorithms
  • Cathartics / adverse effects
  • Cathartics / supply & distribution
  • Cathartics / therapeutic use*
  • Colonoscopy*
  • Decision Trees
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Fluid Therapy / methods
  • Humans
  • Mass Screening
  • Nephrocalcinosis / chemically induced
  • Nurse's Role
  • Nursing Assessment
  • Patient Compliance
  • Patient Education as Topic
  • Patient Selection
  • Phosphates / adverse effects
  • Phosphates / supply & distribution
  • Phosphates / therapeutic use*
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Preoperative Care / adverse effects
  • Preoperative Care / methods*
  • Preoperative Care / nursing
  • Safety Management
  • Solutions

Substances

  • Cathartics
  • Phosphates
  • Solutions
  • sodium phosphate