Author Question: The nurse is performing a digital examination of a patient's prostate gland and notices that a ... (Read 85 times)

sabina · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

The nurse is performing a digital examination of a patient's prostate gland and notices that a normal prostate gland includes which of the following characteristics? Select all that apply.

a. 1 cm protrusion into the rectum
b. Heart-shaped with a palpable central groove
c. Flat shape with no palpable groove
d. Boggy with a soft consistency
e. Smooth surface, elastic, and rubbery consistency
f.
Fixed mobility

Question 2

During the taking of a health history, the patient states, It really hurts back there, and sometimes it itches, too. I have even seen blood on the tissue when I have a bowel movement. Is there something there?

The nurse should expect to see which of these upon examination of the anus?
a.
Rectal prolapse
b.
Internal hemorrhoid
c.
External hemorrhoid that has resolved
d.
External hemorrhoid that is thrombosed

jesse.fleming · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A, B, E
The size of a normal prostate gland should be 2.5 cm long by 4 cm wide and should not protrude more than 1 cm into the rectum. The prostate should be heart-shaped, with a palpable central groove, a smooth surface, and elastic with a rubbery consistency. Abnormal findings include a flat shape with no palpable groove, boggy with a soft consistency, and fixed mobility.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
These symptoms are consistent with an external hemorrhoid. An external hemorrhoid, when thrombosed, contains clotted blood and becomes a painful, swollen, shiny blue mass that itches and bleeds with defecation. When the external hemorrhoid resolves, it leaves a flabby, painless skin sac around the anal orifice. An internal hemorrhoid is not palpable but may appear as a red mucosal mass when the person performs a Valsalva maneuver. A rectal prolapse appears as a moist, red doughnut with radiating lines.