Question 1

While doing an assessment of the perianal area of a patient,the nurse notes that the pigmentation of the anus is darker than the surrounding skin,that the anal opening is closed,and that a shiny,blue skin sac is present.The patient mentions that he has had pain with bowel movements and has noted some occasional spots of blood.What would this assessment and history most likely indicate?

Accepted Answer

A) Anal fistula 
B) Pilonidal cyst 
C) Rectal prolapse 
D) Thrombosed hemorrhoid

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 3

The nurse is caring for a newborn infant.Thirty hours after birth,the infant passes a dark green meconium stool.The nurse recognizes that this is important because:

Accepted Answer

A) this stool would indicate anal patency. 
B) the dark green colour could indicate occult blood in the stool. 
C) meconium stool can be reflective of distress in the newborn. 
D) the newborn should have passed the first stool within 12 hours after birth.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

A) The gland is protruding 1 cm into the rectum. 
B) The gland is heart-shaped,with a palpable central groove. 
C) The gland is flat,with no palpable groove. 
D) The gland has a boggy and soft consistency. 
E) The gland has a smooth surface and an elastic or rubbery consistency.
F)The gland has fixed mobility.

Question 5

During a DRE,the nurse notes 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?

Accepted Answer

A) Rectal polyp 
B) Fecal impaction 
C) Rectal abscess 
D) Rectal prolapse

Question 6

A patient who is visiting the clinic complains of having "stomach pains for 2 weeks" and describes his stools as being "soft and black" for about the last 10 days.He denies taking any medications.The nurse is aware that these symptoms are most indicative of:

Accepted Answer

A) excessive fat caused by malabsorption. 
B) increased iron intake resulting from a change in diet. 
C) occult blood resulting from gastrointestinal bleeding. 
D) increase in bile pigment from liver problems.

Question 7

During an assessment of a 20-year-old man,the nurse finds a small,palpable lesion containing a tuft of hair and located directly over the coccyx.The nurse knows that this lesion would most likely be a:

Accepted Answer

A) polyp. 
B) pruritus ani. 
C) benign tumour. 
D) pilonidal cyst.

Question 8

Which of the following statements about the sphincters is true?

Accepted Answer

A) The internal sphincter is under voluntary control. 
B) The external sphincter is under voluntary control. 
C) Both sphincters remain slightly relaxed at all times. 
D) The internal sphincter surrounds the external sphincter.

Question 9

Which of the following techniques is correct for palpation of the rectum?

Accepted Answer

A) Flex the finger,and insert it slowly toward the umbilicus. 
B) First instruct the patient that this will be a painful procedure. 
C) Insert an extended index finger at a right angle to the anus. 
D) Place the finger directly into the anus to overcome the tight sphincter.

Exam 23: Anus,rectum and Prostate