A patient asks if rectal suppositories can be used to assist with constipation problems with his colostomy. What should the nurse clarify regarding suppositories?

Rationale: A. They can be used in a stoma is incorrect because a colostomy stoma is made of delicate, highly vascular intestinal mucosa. Inserting a suppository can cause irritation, trauma, or bleeding, and the stoma lacks a sphincter to safely control insertion or retention. B. They will not penetrate well enough to relieve constipation is incorrect because effectiveness is not the main issue. The primary concern is safety, as suppositories are designed for rectal anatomy and are unsafe to insert into a stoma. C. They can be used in double-barreled colostomies is incorrect because suppositories should not be used in any type of colostomy. All stomas are vulnerable to injury, regardless of their configuration. D. They should not ever be used in a colostomy is correct because rectal suppositories are contraindicated in clients with colostomies. The absence of protective structures and the fragility of the stoma increase the risk of injury and bleeding. Constipation in these patients is managed with safer alternatives such as hydration, dietary adjustments, and prescribed oral medications.