ANUS Flashcards
(10 cards)
During a rectal examination, the nurse palpates a hardened mass. What should the nurse do next?
A. Document the finding as normal
B. Ask the client to strain again
C. Notify the healthcare provider
D. Apply a warm compress
C. Notify the healthcare provider
Rationale: A hardened mass in the rectum could indicate a tumor or fecal impaction, both of which require further evaluation.
A nurse is assessing for occult blood in the stool. Which test is used for this purpose?
A. Pap smear
B. Hemoccult (guaiac) test
C. Colonoscopy
D. Urinalysis
B. Hemoccult (guaiac) test
Rationale: The guaiac-based fecal occult blood test detects hidden (occult) blood in stool, often used for colorectal screening.
Which position is most appropriate for a male client during a rectal examination?
A. Lithotomy
B. Prone
C. Left lateral (Sims’)
D. Supine with knees flexed
C. Left lateral (Sims’)
Rationale: The left lateral (Sims’) position allows good access to the rectal area and is comfortable for most clients.
Which finding during a rectal exam would most concern the nurse?
A. Skin tag near the anal opening
B. Small amount of bright red blood on glove
C. Hemorrhoid visible on straining
D. Hard, irregular nodule in the rectal wall
D. Hard, irregular nodule in the rectal wall
Rationale: A hard, irregular nodule may indicate rectal cancer and requires immediate medical follow-up.
A client reports painful defecation and rectal itching. Upon inspection, the nurse sees dilated veins at the anal margin. What condition is most likely?
A. Anal fissure
B. Hemorrhoids
C. Fistula
D. Rectal prolapse
B. Hemorrhoids
Rationale: External hemorrhoids are dilated veins at the anal margin and may cause pain, itching, or bleeding.
Which of the following is a normal finding during inspection of the anus?
A. Protrusion of rectal tissue
B. Closed, moist, and symmetrical anal opening
C. Bleeding with light palpation
D. Palpable masses externally
B. Closed, moist, and symmetrical anal opening
Rationale: A normal anus appears moist, hairless, symmetrical, and without lesions or protrusions.
The nurse is assessing the perianal area and notes a small opening with drainage near the anus. What does this most likely indicate?
A. Anal fissure
B. Rectal prolapse
C. Perianal abscess
D. Anorectal fistula
D. Anorectal fistula
Rationale: An anorectal fistula is an abnormal tract from the rectum to the skin, often with drainage near the anus.
Which symptom is most associated with a rectal fissure?
A. Painless bright red bleeding
B. Constipation and abdominal distension
C. Painful bowel movements with bright red bleeding
D. Mucus discharge from rectum
C. Painful bowel movements with bright red bleeding
Rationale: Anal fissures often cause sharp pain during defecation and bright red bleeding.
When examining the prostate during a digital rectal exam (DRE), which of the following is considered normal?
A. Irregular surface
B. Boggy and tender texture
C. Smooth, firm, and non-tender gland
D. Mass protruding into the rectal lumen
C. Smooth, firm, and non-tender gland
Rationale: A normal prostate is about the size of a walnut, smooth, firm, and non-tender.
Which client statement indicates the need for further education about colon cancer screening?
A. “I’m 52 and just had a colonoscopy.”
B. “I’ll need a colonoscopy again in 10 years if it’s normal.”
C. “If I have rectal bleeding, I’ll wait and see if it goes away.”
D. “Colonoscopy can help detect cancer early.”
C. “If I have rectal bleeding, I’ll wait and see if it goes away.”
Rationale: Rectal bleeding should always be evaluated promptly; it may be a sign of colorectal cancer or other serious conditions.
