Chapter 26: Anus, Rectum, and Prostate
Physical Examination and Health Assessment, 8th Edition by
Carolyn Jarvis
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which statement concerning theanal canal is true? theanal canal:
a. Is approximately 2 cm long in theadult.
b. Slants backward toward thesacrum.
c. Contains hair and sebaceous glands.
d. Is theoutlet for thegastrointestinal tract.
ANS: D
The anal canal is theoutlet for thegastrointestinal tract and is approximately 3.8
cm long in theadult. It is lined with a modified skin that does not contain hair or
sebaceous glands, and it slants forward toward theumbilicus.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge)
MSC: Client Needs: General
2. Which statement concerning thesphincters 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 theexternal sphincter.
ANS: B
The external sphincter surrounds theinternal sphincter but also has a small section
overriding thetip of theinternal sphincter at theopening. theexternal sphincter is
under voluntary control. Except for thepassing of feces and gas, thesphincters
keep theanal canal tightly closed.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge)
MSC: Client Needs: General
3. The nurse is performing an examination of theanus and rectum. Which of these
statements iscorrect and important to remember during this examination?
a. The rectum is approximately 8 cm long.
b. The anorectal junction cannot be palpated.
c. Above theanal canal, therectum turns anteriorly.
d. No sensory nerves are in theanal canal or rectum.
ANS: B
The anal columns are folds of mucosa that extend vertically down from therectum
, and end in theanorectal junction. This junction is not palpable but is visible on
proctoscopy. therectum is 12 cm long; just above theanal canal, therectum dilates
and turns posteriorly.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge)
MSC: Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
4. The structure that secretes a thin, milky alkaline fluid to enhance theviability of sperm is
the:
a. Cowper gland.
b. Prostategland.
c. Mediansulcus.
d. Bulbourethral gland.
ANS: B
In men, theprostate gland secretes a thin milky alkaline fluid that enhances sperm
viability. theCowper glands (also known as bulbourethral glands) secrete a clear,
viscid mucus. themedian sulcus is a groove that divides thelobes of theprostate
gland and does not secrete fluid.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge)
MSC: Client Needs: General
5. A 46-year-old man requires an assessment of his sigmoid colon. Which instrument or
technique ismost appropriate for this examination?
a. Proctoscope
b. Ultrasound
c. Colonoscope
d. Rectal examination with an examining finger
ANS: C
The sigmoid colon is 40 cm long, and thenurse knows that it is accessible to
examination only with thecolonoscope. theother responses are not appropriate for
an examination of theentire sigmoid colon.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
MSC: Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
6. The nurse is caring for a newborn infant. Thirty hours after birth, theinfant passes a
dark green meconium stool. thenurse recognizes this is important because the:
a. Stool indicates anal patency.
b. Dark green color indicates occult blood in thestool.
c. Meconium stool can be reflective of distress in thenewborn.
d. Newborn should have passed thefirst stool within 12 hours after birth.
ANS: A
The first stool passed by thenewborn is dark green meconium and occurs within
Physical Examination and Health Assessment, 8th Edition by
Carolyn Jarvis
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which statement concerning theanal canal is true? theanal canal:
a. Is approximately 2 cm long in theadult.
b. Slants backward toward thesacrum.
c. Contains hair and sebaceous glands.
d. Is theoutlet for thegastrointestinal tract.
ANS: D
The anal canal is theoutlet for thegastrointestinal tract and is approximately 3.8
cm long in theadult. It is lined with a modified skin that does not contain hair or
sebaceous glands, and it slants forward toward theumbilicus.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge)
MSC: Client Needs: General
2. Which statement concerning thesphincters 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 theexternal sphincter.
ANS: B
The external sphincter surrounds theinternal sphincter but also has a small section
overriding thetip of theinternal sphincter at theopening. theexternal sphincter is
under voluntary control. Except for thepassing of feces and gas, thesphincters
keep theanal canal tightly closed.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge)
MSC: Client Needs: General
3. The nurse is performing an examination of theanus and rectum. Which of these
statements iscorrect and important to remember during this examination?
a. The rectum is approximately 8 cm long.
b. The anorectal junction cannot be palpated.
c. Above theanal canal, therectum turns anteriorly.
d. No sensory nerves are in theanal canal or rectum.
ANS: B
The anal columns are folds of mucosa that extend vertically down from therectum
, and end in theanorectal junction. This junction is not palpable but is visible on
proctoscopy. therectum is 12 cm long; just above theanal canal, therectum dilates
and turns posteriorly.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge)
MSC: Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
4. The structure that secretes a thin, milky alkaline fluid to enhance theviability of sperm is
the:
a. Cowper gland.
b. Prostategland.
c. Mediansulcus.
d. Bulbourethral gland.
ANS: B
In men, theprostate gland secretes a thin milky alkaline fluid that enhances sperm
viability. theCowper glands (also known as bulbourethral glands) secrete a clear,
viscid mucus. themedian sulcus is a groove that divides thelobes of theprostate
gland and does not secrete fluid.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge)
MSC: Client Needs: General
5. A 46-year-old man requires an assessment of his sigmoid colon. Which instrument or
technique ismost appropriate for this examination?
a. Proctoscope
b. Ultrasound
c. Colonoscope
d. Rectal examination with an examining finger
ANS: C
The sigmoid colon is 40 cm long, and thenurse knows that it is accessible to
examination only with thecolonoscope. theother responses are not appropriate for
an examination of theentire sigmoid colon.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
MSC: Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
6. The nurse is caring for a newborn infant. Thirty hours after birth, theinfant passes a
dark green meconium stool. thenurse recognizes this is important because the:
a. Stool indicates anal patency.
b. Dark green color indicates occult blood in thestool.
c. Meconium stool can be reflective of distress in thenewborn.
d. Newborn should have passed thefirst stool within 12 hours after birth.
ANS: A
The first stool passed by thenewborn is dark green meconium and occurs within
