Physical Examination of the Anus, Rectum, and Prostate

Question 1

another name for sacrococcygeal area

Answer 1

pilonidal

Question 2

how can you make fistulas, fissures, rectal prolapse, polyps, and hemorrhoids more apparent?

Answer 2

ask the patient to bear down

Question 3

sequence of palpation of the rectal wall.

Answer 3

posterior, lateral, and anterior walls

Question 4

how should the rectal wall feel upon palpation?

Answer 4

smooth, even, and uninterrupted.

Question 5

what is the diameter of a healthy prostate?

Answer 5

4cm with < 1cm protrusion into the rectum

Question 6

rubbery or boggy consistency of the prostate upon palpation is indicative of what?

Answer 6

benign hypertrophy or infection (normal in older adults)

Question 7

stone hard nodules on the prostate is indicative of what?

Answer 7

carcinomas

Question 8

what requires a digital rectal exam?

Answer 8

pencil like stool- stenosis from scaring or malignancy
light tan/gray stools- obstructive jaundice
tarry black stool- Upper GI bleed
bright red blood- lower GI bleed

Question 9

What should be asked with males, in addition to stool changes?

Answer 9

changes in urinary function