Exam 26: Anus, Rectum, and Prostate

The nurse is preparing to palpate the rectum and should use which of these techniques?

While palpating the prostate gland through the rectum, which finding would the nurse recognize as abnormal?

During the assessment of an 18-month-old infant, the mother expresses concern to the nurse about the infant's inability to toilet train. What would be the best response by the nurse?

During a digital examination of the rectum, the nurse notices that the patient has hard feces in the rectum. The patient complains of feeling "full," has a distended abdomen, and states that she has not had a bowel movement "for several days." The nurse suspects which condition?

After completing an assessment of a 60-year-old white male with a family history of colon cancer, the nurse discusses with him early detection measures for colon cancer. What should the nurse include in the instructions?

While performing a rectal examination, the nurse notices a firm, irregularly shaped mass. What should the nurse do next?

The nurse is examining only the rectal area of a woman and should place the woman in what position?

While assessing a hospitalized patient who is jaundiced, the nurse notices that the patient has been incontinent of stool. The stool is loose and gray-tan in color. What does this finding indicate?

A 60-year-old man has just been told that he has benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). He has a friend who just died from cancer of the prostate and is concerned this will happen to him. How should the nurse respond?

The nurse is performing an examination of the anus and rectum. Which of these statements is correct and important to remember during this examination?