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Digital Rectal Examination & Manual Removal of Faeces. Cath Stansfield. Advanced Practitioner - Gastroenterology. Before you begin…. Review your A&P of the GI tract, in particular:- The function of the colon The anatomy and physiology of the rectum
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Digital Rectal Examination & Manual Removal of Faeces Cath Stansfield. Advanced Practitioner - Gastroenterology
Before you begin… • Review your A&P of the GI tract, in particular:- • The function of the colon • The anatomy and physiology of the rectum • Review the principles of constipation management
Anal & perianal observations Principles of DRE Principles of constipation management and manual evacuation Prescribing rectal medication Legal and ethic considerations of DRE and manual evacuation Objectives
The main function of the colon is the propulsion of faecal matter and absorption of fluid. colon
Why is the colon important in considering constipation? • Transit time • Length of time that food is in the colon. • The longer the transit time the more water is absorbed • The harder and more solid the evacuated stool will be • Total water content of the gut per 24 hours • Salivary glands 1500mls • Stomach 2500mls • Bile 500mls • Pancreas 1500mls • L & S bowel 1000mls • Only 200mls is expelled in faeces
The rectum is the last 15-17cm of the large colon. It is situated at the level of the pelvic floor, the last 2-3cm becomes the anal canal. The rectum and anal canal
Capable of distension Usually empty Gastro colic reflex is necessary for its function Affected by emotion Able to distinguish wind from solid Key characteristics of the rectum
The pelvic floor, in particular the pubo-rectalis muscle is important to maintain faecal continence and successful defecation Pelvic floor
mechanism • The junction of the sigmoid colon & the rectum is angled sharply 60° - 105 ° • Continence is maintained by • the acute angle • 2 Anal sphincters
Anal Sphincters • The Internal Anal Sphincter. • Surrounds the anal canal • Not under voluntary control • The External Anal Sphincter. • surrounds the bottom of the internal anal sphincter. • is under voluntary control.
And finally.. faeces • Product of elimination, consists of • 75 % water • 20 % Dead bacteria • 5 % Fat • Nitrogen • Bile pigments & undigested food • Colour usually brown influenced by food • Dark = protein • Black = Blood or iron • Clay = Fat
Assessing bowel function – medical/ surgical history • Illness • Bowel disorders • Neurological illness • Chronic pain • Terminal illness • Injury • Child birth • Spinal injury • Surgery • Spinal surgery • Bowel surgery
Diarrhoea Antacids ( Magnesium) Antibiotics Antidepressants Beta Blockers Diuretics Iron preparations Hypoglycaemic preparations Sorbitol Constipation Antacids (Aluminium) Analgesics Anti-inflammatory drugs Antidepressants Anti hypertensives Diuretics Iron preparations Sedatives Motility drugs Assessing bowel function - medication
THE FACTS • 10% of the population are affected • 25% of the elderly are affected • More common in females • 13 out of 1000 GP consultations are for constipation
Impact of constipation • Loss of well being • Pain • Depression • Loss of mobility • Loss of appetite
Defining Constipation • Going less often • passing hard faeces • difficulty in passing a stool • Straining at stool • Going less than 3 times per week • Pain on defaecation
3 Categories of Constipation • Primary • diet • Lifestyle • Secondary • Disease associated • Iatrogenic • 50% of medication can have constipatory affects on the bowel
Causes of constipation • Pregnancy and childbirth • Ignoring the call to stool • Diabetes • Depression • Lifestyle • Immobility – walking 0.5km per day will reduce constipation • Poor diet • Irregular meals
The Goal • The feeling you want to go is definite but not irresistible • Once you sit on the toilet there is no delay • No conscious effort or straining • The faeces glides out smoothly & comfortably • Followed by a pleasant feeling of relief
DRE and MEF • Any concerns about scope of practice the RCN Guidance for DRE should be followed.
Before you do… • Understanding of A&P of the lower gastro-intestinal tract • Identification of possible causes of constipation • Planning stepped approach to nursing care to prevent & treat constipation
Think about…. • Invasive and should only be performed when necessary. • Awareness of cultural & religious beliefs. • There can be conflict over Manual Removal of Faeces between patient/carers/nurses. • Wide range of alternatives available, but not suitable for all. • Keep discomfort to a minimum
Why? • To establish the need and outcome of digital stimulation to trigger defecation by stimulating the recto anal reflex • (RCN, Bowel Care, Guidance for Nurses, March 2008) • To establish the presence, amount & consistency of faecal matter in the rectum • To establish anal tone, the ability to initiate a voluntary contraction and to what degree • Anal/rectal sensation • (
Preparing the patient • DO: • Complete a full bowel assessment • Consider ALL other treatment options with your team • Inform the patient of treatment options and risks • Gain valid consent
Preparing the patient • Don’t • Proceed if YOU do not feel competent (NMC 2002) • Proceed if there is a lack of consent • Proceed if the doctor has given specific instructions NOT to undertake the procedure • Proceed if the patient has recently undergone rectal, anal surgery or trauma.
Preparing the patient • Don’t proceed if • Active inflammatory bowel disease • Rectal pain • Obvious rectal bleeding • Spinal Injury at T6 or above- • consult local guidance and spinal injury team as allowing constipation to occur leads to a greater risk of autonomic dysreflexia (Getliffe et al 2007)
DRE • Introduction • Introduce yourself, check you have the right patient, explain procedure; “will involve examining back passage with a finger” • Explain WHY you are doing the procedure • Get verbal consent • Alcohol gel hands! • Get a chaperone if opposite sex and advised still if same sex.
DRE • Get patient to roll onto left hand side with knees up to chest. (Always examine from right hand side!) • Collect equipment: • Clean tray • Gel (lubricant) • Gloves • Gauze (for wiping)
observation • Look at perianal area what can you see??
Common perianal observations • Rectal prolapse • Haemorrhoids • Skin tags • Wounds/dressing/ discharge • Anal lesions • fistula • Abscesses • Fissure • excoriation
Abscesses • Discharge • Blood • Mucus • Faecal matter
Anal fissure • Document as clock:- • 6 o’clock • 12 o’clock • Common in Crohn’s and constipation
haemorrhoids • 1st degree- remain in rectum, 2nd degree- prolapse through but spontaneously reduce, • 3rd degree- as for 2nd but require digital reduction, • 4th degree- remain prolapsed persistently
Haemorrhoids • Haemorrhoids are abnormalities of these cushions which may slip due to : • Straining at stool • Pregnancy
Rectal Prolapse • Common in elderly females • There may be • Faecal incontinence due to stretching of the anal sphincter • Mucus discharge from the prolapsed bowel • Treatment of a complete rectal prolapse requires an operation (rectopexy) to fix the rectum within the pelvis
Fistula in Ano • Common causes:- • Constipation • Repeated enemas • Childbirth • Exploration and laying open of the fistula under general anaesthesia may be necessary
Anal Carcinoma • Present with • pruritus ani, • fissures, • perianal warts • bleeding mass • Treatment with surgery
Anal Warts • Commonest STD • Results from HPV • Associated genital warts in the sexual partner are common
Perianal Crohn's • Multiple signs • Skin tags • Erythema • Fistula • Abscesses • scarring • Anal strictures
Not significant Chronic straining Childbirth Constipation May become:- Thrombosed Oedematous Can lead to:- Pruritus Haemorrhoids Can be removed Skin tags
Examination • Inform patient you are going to examine with your finger now • Put blob of lubricant on finger • With your left hand, raise up the patient’s right buttock.
Assessing Sphincter function • Insert finger, • assessing sphincter tone • Is it hypertonic – difficult to insert finger • Remember patient may be anxious and can ask patient to take a deep breath • Indicative of Crohn’s disease, Fissure, stricture, nerves • Is it hypotonic - no resistance • Indicative of old age, nerve damage (spinal injury), muscle damage (multigravida)
Advance finger • If resistance noted - ask the patient to take a deep breath, or to push, as if they are going to the toilet. • If patient is unable to tolerate at any point STOP