The patient reports that he has not had a bowel movement in 7 days. He has had several doses of a laxative without any results. The nurse is going to assess for fecal impaction by performing a digital rectal examination. What instruction should the nurse give to the patient prior to the assessment?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nurse should instruct the patient to report any discomfort or pain during a digital rectal examination to ensure the procedure is performed safely and to adjust the examination technique if necessary. Drinking water, while generally good advice for constipation, is not directly related to preparing for a digital rectal examination. Telling the patient they cannot move at all or to hold their breath and push could cause unnecessary stress or discomfort and is not standard instruction for this procedure.

The Patient Reports That He Has Not Had a Bowel