Assessing the Anus & Rectum Key Nursing Procedures and Findings
Assessing the Anus & Rectum: Key Nursing Procedures and Findings
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_jr8klj
1. How should the nurse ap- Professionally, respectfully, and sensitively while reassuring the
proach this assessment? patient.
2. Is the rectal assessment dif- No, the assessment technique is the same for both.
ferent for male and female
patients?
3. What should the nurse tell Most rectal assessments are painless and the nurse will remain
an anxious patient before a with the patient during the assessment.
rectal exam?
4. What bowel elimination in- Normal bowel movement pattern, frequency, changes in stool
formation should the nurse size, changes in stool diameter.
obtain?
5. What bowel problems Constipation and diarrhea.
should be included in the
health history?
6. What is melena? Black, tarry stool caused by digested blood in the gastrointestinal
tract.
7. What colors of rectal bleed- Black (melena), bright red blood, dark red blood.
ing should be assessed?
8. What are common sources Anal fissures, hemorrhoids, polyps.
of rectal bleeding?
9. What is an anal fistula? An abnormal tunnel between the anal canal and the skin around
the anus.
10. What symptoms involving Itching, pain, abnormal drainage.
the anus should the nurse
ask about?
1/4
Assessing the Anus & Rectum: Key Nursing Procedures and Findings
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_jr8klj
1. How should the nurse ap- Professionally, respectfully, and sensitively while reassuring the
proach this assessment? patient.
2. Is the rectal assessment dif- No, the assessment technique is the same for both.
ferent for male and female
patients?
3. What should the nurse tell Most rectal assessments are painless and the nurse will remain
an anxious patient before a with the patient during the assessment.
rectal exam?
4. What bowel elimination in- Normal bowel movement pattern, frequency, changes in stool
formation should the nurse size, changes in stool diameter.
obtain?
5. What bowel problems Constipation and diarrhea.
should be included in the
health history?
6. What is melena? Black, tarry stool caused by digested blood in the gastrointestinal
tract.
7. What colors of rectal bleed- Black (melena), bright red blood, dark red blood.
ing should be assessed?
8. What are common sources Anal fissures, hemorrhoids, polyps.
of rectal bleeding?
9. What is an anal fistula? An abnormal tunnel between the anal canal and the skin around
the anus.
10. What symptoms involving Itching, pain, abnormal drainage.
the anus should the nurse
ask about?
1/4
