Digital Rectal Examination
Women can have internal hemorrhoids from ...? correct answers birth
DRE indications correct answers -diagnose rectal tumors
-assess size of prostate and check for tumors or infection of prostate
-obtain feces for fecal occult blood test (used to screen for GI bleeding or colon cancer)
-assess fxn of anal sphincter in cases of fecal incontinence
-assess the extent of hemorrhoids (swollen veins in the anus)
-check for causes of rectal bleeding
-check space between vagina and rectum in women
What is a DRE? correct answers a simple procedure that we use to examine the lower
rectum and other internal organs such as the prostate. A DRE is done for a number of
reasons. It's a quick, easy way to check the health of a man's prostate gland. It can
detect conditions like an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) and prostate
cancer. The DRE is also used in female patients to check for internal hemorrhoids and
prolapse of the vagina into the rectal vault.
External or internal hemorrhoids correct answers if these become thrombosed, they
become painful
What is a rectaseal? correct answers rectum will protrude up to vaginal area (can also
get bladder bulging through)
What are the only two contraindications to a DRE? correct answers 1. The clinician
doesn't have a finger
2. The patient doesn't have an anus/rectum
DRE technique correct answers -explain procedure
-gain consent
-gather equipment
-position patient
-put on gloves
-lubricate gloved finger
-have pt relax (breathing)
-palpate technique (prostate and rectal vault)
-remove finger
-provide wipes for pt
-hemocult test
For young pts or females, always have an MA in the room with you to avoid...? correct
answers sexual abuse cases
Women can have internal hemorrhoids from ...? correct answers birth
DRE indications correct answers -diagnose rectal tumors
-assess size of prostate and check for tumors or infection of prostate
-obtain feces for fecal occult blood test (used to screen for GI bleeding or colon cancer)
-assess fxn of anal sphincter in cases of fecal incontinence
-assess the extent of hemorrhoids (swollen veins in the anus)
-check for causes of rectal bleeding
-check space between vagina and rectum in women
What is a DRE? correct answers a simple procedure that we use to examine the lower
rectum and other internal organs such as the prostate. A DRE is done for a number of
reasons. It's a quick, easy way to check the health of a man's prostate gland. It can
detect conditions like an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) and prostate
cancer. The DRE is also used in female patients to check for internal hemorrhoids and
prolapse of the vagina into the rectal vault.
External or internal hemorrhoids correct answers if these become thrombosed, they
become painful
What is a rectaseal? correct answers rectum will protrude up to vaginal area (can also
get bladder bulging through)
What are the only two contraindications to a DRE? correct answers 1. The clinician
doesn't have a finger
2. The patient doesn't have an anus/rectum
DRE technique correct answers -explain procedure
-gain consent
-gather equipment
-position patient
-put on gloves
-lubricate gloved finger
-have pt relax (breathing)
-palpate technique (prostate and rectal vault)
-remove finger
-provide wipes for pt
-hemocult test
For young pts or females, always have an MA in the room with you to avoid...? correct
answers sexual abuse cases
