Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

A) Continue with the examination, and document the finding in the chart 
B) Instruct the patient to return for a repeat assessment in 1 month 
C) Tell the patient that a mass was felt but that it is nothing to worry about 
D) Report the finding and refer the patient to a specialist for further examination 
A) Continue with the examination, and document the finding in the chart 
B) Instruct the patient to return for a repeat assessment in 1 month 
C) Tell the patient that a mass was felt but that it is nothing to worry about 
D) Report the finding and refer the patient to a specialist for further examination

Question 2

During an assessment of a newborn, the nurse would expect which finding when the anal area is slightly stroked?

Accepted Answer

A) Jerking of the legs 
B) Flexion of the knees 
C) Quick contraction of the sphincter 
D) Relaxation of the external sphincter 
A) Jerking of the legs 
B) Flexion of the knees 
C) Quick contraction of the sphincter 
D) Relaxation of the external sphincter

Question 3

The nurse is performing a digital examination of a patient's prostate gland and recognizes that a normal prostate gland includes which of the following characteristics? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A) 1-cm protrusion into the rectum 
B) Heart shape, with a palpable central groove 
C) Flat shape, with no palpable groove 
D) Boggy, with a soft consistency 
E) Smooth surface, elastic and rubbery consistency
F)Fixed mobility 
A) 1-cm protrusion into the rectum 
B) Heart shape, with a palpable central groove 
C) Flat shape, with no palpable groove 
D) Boggy, with a soft consistency 
E) Smooth surface, elastic and rubbery consistency
F)Fixed mobility

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

A) "The swelling in your prostate is only temporary and will go away." 
B) "We will treat you with chemotherapy so that we can control the cancer." 
C) "It would be very unusual for a man your age to have cancer of the prostate." 
D) "The enlargement of your prostate is caused by hormonal changes, not cancer." 
A) "The swelling in your prostate is only temporary and will go away." 
B) "We will treat you with chemotherapy so that we can control the cancer." 
C) "It would be very unusual for a man your age to have cancer of the prostate." 
D) "The enlargement of your prostate is caused by hormonal changes, not cancer."

Question 5

A 46-year-old man requires an assessment of his sigmoid colon.Which instrument or technique is most appropriate for this examination?

Accepted Answer

A) Proctoscope 
B) Ultrasonography 
C) Colonoscope 
D) Rectal examination with an examining finger 
A) Proctoscope 
B) Ultrasonography 
C) Colonoscope 
D) Rectal examination with an examining finger

Question 6

The nurse is reviewing the functioning of the anal canal with nursing students and states that voluntary closure of the canal is controlled by:

Accepted Answer

A) The internal sphincter being under voluntary control 
B) The external sphincter being under voluntary control 
C) Both sphincters remaining slightly relaxed at all times 
D) The internal sphincter surrounding the external sphincter 
A) The internal sphincter being under voluntary control 
B) The external sphincter being under voluntary control 
C) Both sphincters remaining slightly relaxed at all times 
D) The internal sphincter surrounding the external sphincter

Question 7

Which statement concerning the anal canal is true? The anal canal:

Accepted Answer

A) Is approximately 2 cm long in the adult 
B) Slants backward toward the sacrum 
C) Contains hair and sebaceous glands 
D) Is the outlet for the gastrointestinal tract 
A) Is approximately 2 cm long in the adult 
B) Slants backward toward the sacrum 
C) Contains hair and sebaceous glands 
D) Is the outlet for the gastrointestinal tract

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

A) The rectum is approximately 8 cm long. 
B) The anorectal junction cannot be palpated. 
C) Above the anal canal, the rectum turns anteriorly. 
D) No sensory nerves are in the anal canal or rectum. 
A) The rectum is approximately 8 cm long. 
B) The anorectal junction cannot be palpated. 
C) Above the anal canal, the rectum turns anteriorly. 
D) No sensory nerves are in the anal canal or rectum.

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

A) "Some children are just more difficult to toilet train, so I wouldn't worry about it yet." 
B) "Have you considered reading any of the books on toilet training? They can be very helpful." 
C) "This could mean that there is a problem in your baby's development.We'll watch her closely for the next few months." 
D) "The nerves that will allow your child to have control over the passing of stools are not developed until at least age 18 to 24 months" 
A) "Some children are just more difficult to toilet train, so I wouldn't worry about it yet." 
B) "Have you considered reading any of the books on toilet training? They can be very helpful." 
C) "This could mean that there is a problem in your baby's development.We'll watch her closely for the next few months." 
D) "The nerves that will allow your child to have control over the passing of stools are not developed until at least age 18 to 24 months"

Question 10

A 70-year-old man is visiting the clinic for difficulty in passing urine.In the health history, he indicates that he has to urinate frequently, especially at night.He has burning when he urinates and has noticed pain in his back.Considering this history, what might the nurse expect to find during the physical assessment?

Accepted Answer

A) Asymmetrical, hard, and fixed prostate gland 
B) Occult blood and perianal pain to palpation 
C) Symmetrically enlarged, soft prostate gland 
D) Soft nodule protruding from the rectal mucosa 
A) Asymmetrical, hard, and fixed prostate gland 
B) Occult blood and perianal pain to palpation 
C) Symmetrically enlarged, soft prostate gland 
D) Soft nodule protruding from the rectal mucosa

Question 11

Which characteristic of the prostate gland would the advance practice nurse recognize as an abnormal finding while palpating the prostate gland through the rectum?

Accepted Answer

A) Palpable central groove 
B) Tenderness to palpation 
C) Being heart shaped 
D) Elastic and rubbery consistency 
A) Palpable central groove 
B) Tenderness to palpation 
C) Being heart shaped 
D) Elastic and rubbery consistency

Exam 23: Anus, Rectum, and Prostate

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

During an assessment of a newborn, the nurse would expect which finding when the anal area is slightly stroked?

The nurse is performing a digital examination of a patient's prostate gland and recognizes that a normal prostate gland includes which of the following characteristics? (Select all that apply.)

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

A 46-year-old man requires an assessment of his sigmoid colon.Which instrument or technique is most appropriate for this examination?

The nurse is reviewing the functioning of the anal canal with nursing students and states that voluntary closure of the canal is controlled by:

Which statement concerning the anal canal is true? The anal canal:

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

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

Which characteristic of the prostate gland would the advance practice nurse recognize as an abnormal finding while palpating the prostate gland through the rectum?

Evidence-Based Assessment

Health Promotion in the Context of Health Assessment

Cultural Competence: Cultural Care

The Interview

The Complete Health History

Mental Health Assessment

Substance Use and Health Assessment

Interpersonal Violence Assessments

Assessment Techniques and the Clinical Setting

General Survey, Measurement, Vital Signs

Pain Assessment

Nutritional Assessment

Skin, Hair, and Nails

Head, Face, and Neck, Including Regional Lymphatics

Eyes

Ears

Nose, Mouth, and Throat

Breasts and Regional Lymphatics

Thorax and Lungs

Heart and Neck Vessels

Peripheral Vascular System and Lymphatic System

Abdomen

Musculoskeletal System

Neurological System

Male Genitourinary System

Female Genitourinary System

The Complete Health Assessment: Adult, Infant, Child, and Adolescent

Bedside Assessment of the Hospitalized Patient

The Pregnant Woman

Functional Assessment of the Older Adult

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