The nurse is performing a rectal exam on a patient suspected of urethral injury. Which of the following supports this suspicion?

Explanation

• Injury can cause urethral rupture, leading to a hematoma that is felt as a boggy mass during a rectal examination

• Urethral rupture would cause the prostate to become high riding. This would not be palpable

• Reduced sphincter tone is evidence of a spinal cord injury

• The rectal exam is rarely comfortable. Severe discomfort can be cause for concern, but this is not evidence of urethral injury

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