Chapter 21: Anus, Rectum, and Prostate
Ball: Seidel’s Guide to Physical Examination, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Baby Sue is born with an imperforate anus. However, her outward anal appearance is normal.
Which sign would indicate to the healthcare provider that she has a closed anal passageway?
a. Development of a scaphoid abdomen
b. Vomiting after her first feeding
c. Bleeding from the rectum
d. Failure to pass meconium stool
ANS: D
Failure to pass meconium stool indicates that a newborn has an imperforate anus.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)
OBJ: Nursing process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
2. In males, which surface of the prostate gland is accessible by digital examination?
a. Median lobe
b. Posterior
c. Superior
d. Anterior
ANS: B
The posterior surface of the prostate gland lies close to the anterior wall of the rectum and is
palpable through digital rectal examination.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
OBJ: Nursing process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
3. The prostatic sulcus:
a. divides the right and left lateral lobes.
b. is the site of the seminal vesicle emergence.
c. refers to the anterior aspect of the prostate.
d. secretes clear viscous mucus.
ANS: A
The prostatic sulcus divides the two lateral lobes and is palpated as a shallow groove.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge)
OBJ: Nursing process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
4. The rectal past medical history of all patients should include inquiry about:
a. bowel habits.
b. dietary habits.
c. hemorrhoid surgery.
d. laxative use.
ANS: C
Past medical history should include inquiry about hemorrhoids, spinal cord injury, benign
prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), prostate, colorectal, breast, ovarian, or endometrial cancers, and
, episiotomies of fourth-degree lacerations during delivery. Habits are part of the personal and
social history; the use of laxatives is part of the history of the present illness.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)
OBJ: Nursing process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
5. The effects of aging on the gastrointestinal system lead to more frequent experiences of:
a. constipation.
b. prolonged satiety.
c. diarrhea.
d. prostate glandular atrophy.
ANS: A
Older adults experience an elevated pressure threshold for the sensation of rectal distention and
are therefore susceptible to constipation. They also experience early satiety, fecal incontinence,
and prostate glandular hypertrophy.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
OBJ: Nursing process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
6. Factors associated with increased risk of prostate cancer include:
a. African descent.
b. cigarette smoking.
c. a low-fat diet.
d. alcoholism.
ANS: A
The incidence rate of prostate cancer is 50% higher for African American men compared with
white American men. African American men also have a higher mortality rate.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
OBJ: Nursing process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
7. The caliber of the urinary stream is routine information in the history of:
a. adolescents.
b. infants.
c. older adults.
d. sexually active young men.
ANS: C
Routine questions about the caliber of the urinary stream and dribbling are directed toward older
men because hypertrophy of the prostate gradually impedes urine flow.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
OBJ: Nursing process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
8. Equipment for examination of the anus, rectum, and prostate routinely includes gloves and:
a. a hand mirror and gauze.
b. a lubricant and penlight.
c. slides and normal saline.
d. swabs and culture medium.
ANS: B
Equipment for the examination includes a penlight, lubricating jelly, gloves, and fecal occult
blood testing materials.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
Ball: Seidel’s Guide to Physical Examination, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Baby Sue is born with an imperforate anus. However, her outward anal appearance is normal.
Which sign would indicate to the healthcare provider that she has a closed anal passageway?
a. Development of a scaphoid abdomen
b. Vomiting after her first feeding
c. Bleeding from the rectum
d. Failure to pass meconium stool
ANS: D
Failure to pass meconium stool indicates that a newborn has an imperforate anus.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)
OBJ: Nursing process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
2. In males, which surface of the prostate gland is accessible by digital examination?
a. Median lobe
b. Posterior
c. Superior
d. Anterior
ANS: B
The posterior surface of the prostate gland lies close to the anterior wall of the rectum and is
palpable through digital rectal examination.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
OBJ: Nursing process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
3. The prostatic sulcus:
a. divides the right and left lateral lobes.
b. is the site of the seminal vesicle emergence.
c. refers to the anterior aspect of the prostate.
d. secretes clear viscous mucus.
ANS: A
The prostatic sulcus divides the two lateral lobes and is palpated as a shallow groove.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge)
OBJ: Nursing process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
4. The rectal past medical history of all patients should include inquiry about:
a. bowel habits.
b. dietary habits.
c. hemorrhoid surgery.
d. laxative use.
ANS: C
Past medical history should include inquiry about hemorrhoids, spinal cord injury, benign
prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), prostate, colorectal, breast, ovarian, or endometrial cancers, and
, episiotomies of fourth-degree lacerations during delivery. Habits are part of the personal and
social history; the use of laxatives is part of the history of the present illness.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)
OBJ: Nursing process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
5. The effects of aging on the gastrointestinal system lead to more frequent experiences of:
a. constipation.
b. prolonged satiety.
c. diarrhea.
d. prostate glandular atrophy.
ANS: A
Older adults experience an elevated pressure threshold for the sensation of rectal distention and
are therefore susceptible to constipation. They also experience early satiety, fecal incontinence,
and prostate glandular hypertrophy.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
OBJ: Nursing process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
6. Factors associated with increased risk of prostate cancer include:
a. African descent.
b. cigarette smoking.
c. a low-fat diet.
d. alcoholism.
ANS: A
The incidence rate of prostate cancer is 50% higher for African American men compared with
white American men. African American men also have a higher mortality rate.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
OBJ: Nursing process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
7. The caliber of the urinary stream is routine information in the history of:
a. adolescents.
b. infants.
c. older adults.
d. sexually active young men.
ANS: C
Routine questions about the caliber of the urinary stream and dribbling are directed toward older
men because hypertrophy of the prostate gradually impedes urine flow.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
OBJ: Nursing process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation
8. Equipment for examination of the anus, rectum, and prostate routinely includes gloves and:
a. a hand mirror and gauze.
b. a lubricant and penlight.
c. slides and normal saline.
d. swabs and culture medium.
ANS: B
Equipment for the examination includes a penlight, lubricating jelly, gloves, and fecal occult
blood testing materials.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
