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?

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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.(See Table 25-2 for the descriptions of rectal polyps and abscesses; See Table 25-1 for a description of rectal prolapse.)

During a Digital Examination of the Rectum,the Nurse Notices That