Digital rectal exam

Question 1

How should the patient be positioned?

Answer 1

Left lateral position, close to the edge of the bed
Knees and hips flexed
Exposed only as much as is necessary

Question 2

How should you prepare for the exam?

Answer 2

Wash hands, put on gloves, lubricate R index finger

Question 3

How do you inspect? How would an anal lesion be described?

Answer 3

Separate buttocks and inspect anus

Describe lesions like on a clockface, anterior anus is 12 o clock

Question 4

How do you perform the internal exam?

Answer 4

Place pulp of index on the posterior anal verge
Insert finger into rectum as far as possible
Ask patient to squeeze your finger with anus
Feel lateral and posterior walls
Rotate wrist to feel anterior wall and the prostate/cervix

Question 5

What should you do when taking out your finger?

Answer 5

Withdraw finger and check gloves

Clean patient