Colon Preparation Volume for Colonoscopy

A patient has been scheduled for a colonoscopy to screen for colorectal cancer. Prior to the procedure, it is critical for the nurse to ensure that the patient has followed the appropriate bowel preparation regimen. This typically includes a clear liquid diet for 1-3 days prior to the test and the administration of a prescribed laxative.

When reviewing the patient's preparation instructions, the nurse notes the importance of hydration and the avoidance of certain medications, such as anticoagulants and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), that could increase the risk of bleeding.

On the day of the procedure, the nurse assesses that the patient has adhered to the dietary restrictions and has completed the bowel-cleansing solution as directed. Identifying these preparations correctly is essential to reduce the risk of complications. Fill in the blank below to reflect the volume of bowel-cleansing solution the patient should ingest as part of the preparation, which is typically a total of ______ liters.