1. Which statement concerning the anal canal is true? The anal canal:
a. Is approximately 2 cm long in the adult.
b. Slants backward toward the sacrum.
c. Contains hair and sebaceous glands.
d. Is the outlet for the gastrointestinal tract.
ANS: D
The anal canal is the outlet for the gastrointestinal tract and is approximately 3.8 cm
long in the adult. It is lined with a modified skin that does not contain hair or
sebaceous glands, and it slants forward toward the umbilicus.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge) REF: p. 721
MSC: Client Needs: General
2. Which statement concerning the sphincters is correct?
a. The internal sphincter is under voluntary control.
b. The external sphincter is under voluntary control.
c. Both sphincters remain slightly relaxed at all times.
d. The internal sphincter surrounds the external sphincter.
ANS: B
The external sphincter surrounds the internal sphincter but also has a small section
overriding the tip of the internal sphincter at the opening. The external sphincter is
under voluntary control. Except for the passing of feces and gas, the sphincters keep
the anal canal tightly closed.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge) REF: p. 721
,MSC: Client Needs: General
3. The nurse is performing an examination of the anus and rectum. Which of these
statements is correct and important to remember during this examination?
a. The rectum is approximately 8 cm long.
b. The anorectal junction cannot be palpated.
c. Above the anal canal, the rectum turns anteriorly.
d. No sensory nerves are in the anal canal or rectum.
ANS: B
The anal columns are folds of mucosa that extend vertically down from the rectum
and end in the anorectal junction. This junction is not palpable but is visible on
proctoscopy. The rectum is 12 cm long; just above the anal canal, the rectum dilates
and turns posteriorly.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge) REF: p. 721
MSC: Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
4. The structure that secretes a thin, milky alkaline fluid to enhance the viability of
sperm is the:
a. Cowper gland.
b. Prostate gland.
c. Median sulcus.
d. Bulbourethral gland.
ANS: B
In men, the prostate gland secretes a thin milky alkaline fluid that enhances sperm
viability. The Cowper glands (also known as bulbourethral glands) secrete a clear,
viscid mucus. The median sulcus is a groove that divides the lobes of the prostate
gland and does not secrete fluid.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge) REF: p. 722
, MSC: Client Needs: General
5. A 46-year-old man requires an assessment of his sigmoid colon. Which instrument
or technique is most appropriate for this examination?
a. Proctoscope
b. Ultrasound
c. Colonoscope
d. Rectal examination with an examining finger
ANS: C
The sigmoid colon is 40 cm long, and the nurse knows that it is accessible to
examination only with the colonoscope. The other responses are not appropriate for an
examination of the entire sigmoid colon.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: p. 722
MSC: Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
6. The nurse is caring for a newborn infant. Thirty hours after birth, the infant passes a
dark green meconium stool. The nurse recognizes this is important because the:
a. Stool indicates anal patency.
b. Dark green color indicates occult blood in the stool.
c. Meconium stool can be reflective of distress in the newborn.
d. Newborn should have passed the first stool within 12 hours after birth.
ANS: A
The first stool passed by the newborn is dark green meconium and occurs within 24 to
48 hours of birth, indicating anal patency. The other responses are not correct.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: p. 723
MSC: Client Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance
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