33 Questions
What is the approximate length of the anal canal in the adult?
3 cm
Which direction does the anal canal slant in adults?
Forward toward the umbilicus
Which sphincter is under voluntary control?
The external sphincter
What is the function of the sphincters in the anal canal?
They keep the anal canal tightly closed except during passing of feces and gas
What is the most likely condition if a patient has a moist, red, doughnut-shaped protrusion from the anus after performing the Valsalva maneuver?
Rectal prolapse
What might the nurse expect to find during the physical assessment of a 70-year-old man with difficulty in passing urine, frequent urination, burning sensation, and pain in the back?
Asymmetric, hard, and fixed prostate gland
According to the American Cancer Society, when should the PSA blood test be performed for black men?
Should be performed at age 45 years
Which condition is most consistent with symptoms of fever, chills, malaise, urinary frequency, urgency, urethral discharge, and dull aching pain in the perineal and rectal area?
Prostatitis
Which group has the highest incidence of prostate cancer according to the American Cancer Society?
Blacks
What would the nurse recognize as an abnormal finding while palpating the prostate gland through the rectum?
Tenderness to palpation
What is the function of the Cowper glands (bulbourethral glands)?
Secrete a clear, viscid mucus
What does dark green meconium stool passed by a newborn within 24 to 48 hours of birth indicate?
Anal patency
At what age does voluntary control of the external anal sphincter in infants usually occur?
1 to 2 years
What is the cause of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH)?
Hormonal changes
What may cause painful bowel movements known as dyschezia?
Hemorrhoids or fissures
What may soft, black stools for approximately the last 10 days indicate?
Occult blood (melena) from gastrointestinal bleeding
What is the recommended frequency for a colonoscopy as an early detection measure for colon cancer?
Every 10 years
What causes the stool to become frothy?
Excessive fat intake
What is the length of the sigmoid colon?
40 cm
When does the prostate gland commonly start to enlarge?
Middle adult years
What is the frequency recommended for digital rectal examinations (DREs) as an early detection measure for colon cancer?
Every 2 years
What does the absence of bile pigment cause in stools?
Clay-colored stools
Which examination is not necessary for a sports physical examination in a 13-year-old girl?
Sigmoidoscopic examination
What is a common cause of intense itching and irritated anal skin in children?
Pinworms
What position is used for examining only the rectal area of a woman?
Left lateral decubitus position
What characteristics indicate a thrombosed hemorrhoid?
A and C
What should the nurse do when palpating the rectum?
Flex the finger and slowly insert it toward the umbilicus
What is the expected response when the anal area of a newborn is slightly stroked?
Quick contraction of the sphincter
What is a small palpable lesion with a tuft of hair over the coccyx in a 20-year-old man most likely to be?
Pilonidal cyst
What should a nurse do if a firm, irregularly shaped mass is detected during a rectal examination?
Promptly report and refer to a specialist
What is important to inspect during a sports physical examination for a 13-year-old girl?
Perianal area
Which measures are recommended for early detection of colon cancer?
DRE, fecal occult blood test, sigmoidoscopic examination, and colonoscopy after age 50 years
What specific screening measures does the American Cancer Society recommend for colon cancer?
Based on age and gender
Study Notes
Rectal Examination and Assessment Summary
- Early detection measures for colon cancer include DRE, fecal occult blood test, sigmoidoscopic examination, and colonoscopy after age 50 years.
- Pinworms are a common cause of intense itching and irritated anal skin in children.
- The left lateral decubitus position is used for examining only the rectal area of a woman.
- Darker pigmentation of the anus, closed anal opening, and a shiny blue skin sac indicate a thrombosed hemorrhoid.
- When palpating the rectum, the nurse should flex the finger and slowly insert it toward the umbilicus.
- A firm, irregularly shaped mass during a rectal examination should be promptly reported and referred to a specialist.
- When the anal area of a newborn is slightly stroked, a quick contraction of the sphincter is expected.
- During a sports physical examination, inspection of the perianal area is important for a 13-year-old girl.
- A small palpable lesion with a tuft of hair over the coccyx in a 20-year-old man is most likely a pilonidal cyst.
- Testing for occult blood, Valsalva maneuver, and internal palpation of the anus are not necessary for a sports physical examination in a 13-year-old girl.
- Rectal polyps, pruritus ani, carcinoma, and pilonidal cyst have specific characteristics that help in their identification during a rectal examination.
- The American Cancer Society recommends specific screening measures for colon cancer based on age and gender.
Test your knowledge of rectal examination and assessment with this quiz. Explore essential information related to colon cancer screening, common rectal conditions, examination techniques, and recommended screening measures. Perfect for healthcare professionals and students seeking to enhance their understanding of rectal assessment.
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