During a digital examination of the rectum, the nurse notices ...

[student77]

During a digital examination of the rectum, the nurse notices that the patient has hard feces in the rectum. The patient complains of feeling full, has a distended abdomen, and states that she has not had a bowel movement for several days.
 
  The nurse suspects which condition?
  a.
  Rectal polyp
  b.
  Fecal impaction
  c.
  Rectal abscess
  d.
  Rectal prolapse

Question 2

While assessing a patient who is hospitalized and bedridden, the nurse notices that the patient has been incontinent of stool. The stool is loose and gray-tan in color. The nurse recognizes that this finding indicates which of the following?
 
  a. Occult blood
  b. Inflammation
  c. Absent bile pigment
  d. Ingestion of iron preparations

[todom5090]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
A fecal impaction is a collection of hard, desiccated feces in the rectum. The obstruction often results from decreased bowel motility, in which more water is reabsorbed from the stool.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
The presence of gray-tan stool indicates absent bile pigment, which can occur with obstructive jaundice. The ingestion of iron preparations and the presence of occult blood turns the stools to a black color. Jellylike mucus shreds mixed in the stool would indicate inflammation.

[student77]

Gracias!

[ricroger]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it