NURS 209: Ano-rectal Assessment
(Exam 3) questions and answers
What 12 health history questions should be asked during an ano-rectal assessment? -
ANSWER>>-diet (specifically fiber intake- helps with BM)
-bowel habits
-stool characteristics
-melena (blood in stool)
-medications (OTC, Rx, herbal)
-hemorrhoids
-incontinence
-tenesmus (painful straining without stool results)
-pain in abd/rectal area
-polyps
-patient/family Hx of GI CA
-colorectal CA
What can make your stool darker in color? - ANSWER>>iron tablets
What medications can cause GI bleeding? - ANSWER>>aspirin/blood thinners
What equipment/ environment is needed for an ano-rectal assessment? - ANSWER>>-water
soluble lubricant
-penlight
-testing material for occult blood
-warm, private room
-adequate lighting
What is occult blood? - ANSWER>>Blood that is not visible
How can the patient be positioned during an ano-rectal assessment? - ANSWER>>-sims or left
lateral
-knees to chest
-standing and bent over a table
-lithotomy (for females)
, How do you inspect the anal and perineal area? - ANSWER>>spread buttocks carefully while
patient is in one of the noted positions
When inspecting the anal/perineal area what should normally be seen? - ANSWER>>skin darker
than normal skin, moist, sparse hair
What are abnormal findings when inspecting the anal/perineal area? (10) - ANSWER>>-lesions,
nodes, warts, rashes
-pruritus (anal itching)
-inflammation/scars
-skin tags
-perirectal abscess
-fissures
-fistulas
-hemorrhoids (internal or external)
-rectal prolapse
-pilonidal cyst
What should you have the patient do when inspecting the ano-rectal area? What can be seen
with this? - ANSWER>>-have the pt. strain
-will allow a prolapse, polyps, or hemorrhoids to be seen if present
How do you describe the location of abnormalities found around the ano-rectal area? -
ANSWER>>use the hands of a clock to locate and describe findings
What are hemorrhoids? - ANSWER>>dilated, congested vessels (varicose veins)
Hemorrhoids can be ____________ or ____________ - ANSWER>>internal or external
How are you able to see internal hemorrhoids? - ANSWER>>when pt. strains
Are hemorrhoids painful? - ANSWER>>-usually painless, but can contained clotted blood and
become very painful, swollen, itch, and bleed
What does anal pruritus indicate? - ANSWER>>DM or pinworms
What are skin tags? What do they look like? - ANSWER>>Small, benign outgrowths of the skin
that look like flaps
(Exam 3) questions and answers
What 12 health history questions should be asked during an ano-rectal assessment? -
ANSWER>>-diet (specifically fiber intake- helps with BM)
-bowel habits
-stool characteristics
-melena (blood in stool)
-medications (OTC, Rx, herbal)
-hemorrhoids
-incontinence
-tenesmus (painful straining without stool results)
-pain in abd/rectal area
-polyps
-patient/family Hx of GI CA
-colorectal CA
What can make your stool darker in color? - ANSWER>>iron tablets
What medications can cause GI bleeding? - ANSWER>>aspirin/blood thinners
What equipment/ environment is needed for an ano-rectal assessment? - ANSWER>>-water
soluble lubricant
-penlight
-testing material for occult blood
-warm, private room
-adequate lighting
What is occult blood? - ANSWER>>Blood that is not visible
How can the patient be positioned during an ano-rectal assessment? - ANSWER>>-sims or left
lateral
-knees to chest
-standing and bent over a table
-lithotomy (for females)
, How do you inspect the anal and perineal area? - ANSWER>>spread buttocks carefully while
patient is in one of the noted positions
When inspecting the anal/perineal area what should normally be seen? - ANSWER>>skin darker
than normal skin, moist, sparse hair
What are abnormal findings when inspecting the anal/perineal area? (10) - ANSWER>>-lesions,
nodes, warts, rashes
-pruritus (anal itching)
-inflammation/scars
-skin tags
-perirectal abscess
-fissures
-fistulas
-hemorrhoids (internal or external)
-rectal prolapse
-pilonidal cyst
What should you have the patient do when inspecting the ano-rectal area? What can be seen
with this? - ANSWER>>-have the pt. strain
-will allow a prolapse, polyps, or hemorrhoids to be seen if present
How do you describe the location of abnormalities found around the ano-rectal area? -
ANSWER>>use the hands of a clock to locate and describe findings
What are hemorrhoids? - ANSWER>>dilated, congested vessels (varicose veins)
Hemorrhoids can be ____________ or ____________ - ANSWER>>internal or external
How are you able to see internal hemorrhoids? - ANSWER>>when pt. strains
Are hemorrhoids painful? - ANSWER>>-usually painless, but can contained clotted blood and
become very painful, swollen, itch, and bleed
What does anal pruritus indicate? - ANSWER>>DM or pinworms
What are skin tags? What do they look like? - ANSWER>>Small, benign outgrowths of the skin
that look like flaps
