Final answer:
For a standard cleansing enema, the typical volume ranges from 500 ml to 1,000 ml for an adult, but never exceed the recommendations to avoid discomfort and possible injury.
Step-by-step explanation:
The amount of liquid to fill an enema bag for an adult usually varies depending on the specific type of enema and the manufacturer's recommendations. However, for a standard cleansing enema, the amount typically ranges from 500 milliliters (ml) to 1,000 ml (1 liter). It is essential to follow the guidelines provided with the enema kit or any instructions from a healthcare professional. Overdistention of the bowel can cause discomfort and possible injury. The large intestine of an adult human, which is the part of the digestive system where the enema fluid is delivered, has a volume between 6 and 7 liters, but an enema targets only a portion of the colon to stimulate the evacuation of stool. Therefore, the volume used for an enema is much less than the total capacity of the large intestine.