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
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.
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