Chapter 26: Anus, Rectum, and Prostate Questions and Answer Key, Rationalized

Chapter 26: Anus, Rectum, and Prostate Questions and Answer Key, Rationalized QUESTION Which of these statements about the anal canal is true? The anal canal: A) is about 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. ANSWER: D) is the outlet for the gastrointestinal tract. pg. 2 Rationale The anal canal is the outlet for the gastrointestinal tract, and it is about 3.8 cm long in the adult. It is lined with a modified skin that does not contain hair or sebaceous glands, and it slants forward toward the umbilicus. QUESTION Which of these statements about the sphincters is correct? 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. ANSWER: B) The external sphincter is under voluntary control. Rationale The external sphincter surrounds the internal sphincter but also has a small section overriding the tip of the internal sphincter at the opening. The external pg. 3 sphincter is under voluntary control. Except for the passing of feces and gas, the sphincters keep the anal canal tightly closed. QUESTION The nurse is performing an examination of the anus and rectum. Which of these statements is correct and important to remember during this examination? A) The rectum is about 8 cm long. B) The anorectal junction cannot be palpated. C) Above the anal canal, the rectum turns anteriorly. D) There are no sensory nerves in the anal canal or rectum. ANSWER: B) The anorectal junction cannot be palpated. Rationale The anal columns are folds of mucosa that extend vertically down from the rectum and end in the anorectal junction. This junction is not palpable, but it is visible on proctoscopy. The rectum is 12 cm long, and just above the anal canal, the rectum dilates and turns posteriorly. pg. 4 QUESTION The structure that secretes a thin, milky alkaline fluid to enhance the viability of sperm is the: A) Cowper's gland. B) prostate gland. C) median sulcus. D) bulbourethral gland. ANSWER: B) prostate gland Rationale In men, the prostate gland secretes a thin milky alkaline fluid that enhances sperm viability. The Cowper's glands (also known as bulbourethral glands) secrete a clear, viscid mucus. The median sulcus is a groove dividing the lobes of the prostate gland and does not secrete fluid. pg. 5 QUESTION A 46-year-old man requires assessment of his sigmoid colon. The nurse is aware that which of these is most appropriate for this examination? A) Proctoscope B) Ultrasound C) Colonoscope D) Rectal exam with an examining finger ANSWER: C) colonoscope Rationale The sigmoid colon is 40 cm long and is accessible to examination only with the colonoscope. The other responses are not appropriate for examination of the entire sigmoid colon. pg. 6 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: A) this stool would indicate anal patency. B) the dark green color 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. ANSWER: A) this stool would indicate a