Author Question: During a digital examination of the rectum, the nurse notices that the patient has hard feces in the ... (Read 92 times)

student77 · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

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 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

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.