Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect and nursing methods of compound polyethylene glycol electrolyte for preoperative bowel cleaning in patients with colorectal cancer. Methods Sixty-five cases of surgical patients with colorectal cancer were randomly divided into two groups:the observation group of 35 cases and the control group of 30 cases. The patients of the observation group aged 33- 91 years,average age(63. 86 ±11. 98) years,the control group of patients aged30-83 years old,average age(60. 87 ±12. 91) years. A compound polyethylene glycol electrolyte was used for bowel cleaning in the observation group,while 0. 2% soapsuds enema was used for bowel preparation in the control group(30cases). The degree of bowel cleaning,the degree of acceptance,the defecation times,postoperative exhaust time,and adverse reactions were observed and recorded. Results The observation group of patients got the percentage of bowel cleaning of 91. 4%(32/35),while the control group of patients 70%(21/30),the difference had statistical significance(P <0. 05); the complete compliance rate of the observation group was 94. 3%(33 cases),the control group was 73. 3%(22cases),the difference between the two groups was significant(P < 0. 05),there is also significant difference between two groups in defecation times and postoperative exhaust time. Conclusion For selective operation of colorectal cancer surgery,the polyethylene glycol electrolyte has many advantages,such as less pain,short duration of preoperative preparation,fewer complications,good bowel cleaning effect,and good patient compliance. Above all the polyethylene glycol electrolyte has a little effect on water electrolyte acid-base balance,which is beneficial to the patients' body recovery. At the same time,it is easy to operate the bowel cleaning of polyethylene glycol electrolyte and the workload of nurse is reduced largely.