Breast, Genital, Prostate, and Rectal Assessment
Assignment details: Assessing the Genitalia and Rectum
One critical element of any physical exam is the ability of the examiner to put the patient at ease. By putting the patient at ease, nurses are more likely to glean quality, meaningful information that will help the patient get the best care possible. When someone feels safe, listened to, and cared about, exams often go more smoothly. This is especially true when dealing with issues concerning breasts, genitals, prostates, and rectums, which are subjects that many patients find difficult to talk about. As a result, it is important to gain a firm understanding of how to gain vital information and perform the necessary assessment techniques in as non-invasive a manner as possible.
In final preparation for this week’s head-to-toe physical examination, you explore how to assess problems with the breasts, genitalia, rectum, and prostate.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
- Evaluate abnormal findings on the genitalia and rectum
- Apply concepts, theories, and principles relating to health assessment techniques and diagnoses for the breasts, genitalia, prostate, and rectum
- Assess health conditions based on a head-to-toe physical examination