How to Perform a Prostate Exam
If you are a man over 50, a prostate exam is a regular part of your routine medical exam. Your health-care provider may also suggest one if you are experiencing symptoms of prostate cancer, prostate infection or an enlarged prostate. The prostate exam is a simple exam that is often the first sign that something is wrong with your prostate's health. The prostate exam (also sometimes called a digital rectal exam or DRE) can be quickly done with relatively little discomfort.
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Instructions
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Explain the procedure to the patient. Not everyone realizes that you must insert a finger into their rectum to exam their prostate gland. Assure them of that there will be a little discomfort but it will pass quickly. Be sure to remind them that you will be also moving your finger once inside.
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Put on a sterile latex glove on the hand you intend to use. Use a lubricant on the finger you will be using and also put some on the patient's anal opening.
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Warn the patient that you will begin. Some health care providers count to three, while others just give the warning. Either way is fine. Slowly insert your finger into the anal opening at a downward angle. Wait until the muscles have relaxed around your finger.
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Examine the prostate gland, which will be located along the anterior anal wall. Move your finger in a circle motion to get a feel of the size, shape and consistency of the prostate gland.
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Slowly remove your finger from the anal opening. If you are also performing a rectal exam, you can save the glove for fecal evaluation. If not, then properly dispose of the glove.
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Tips & Warnings
It helps the patient's comfort level if you talk through every move you make and explain what you are doing and why you are doing it.
Although it is certainly possible for anyone to perform a prostate exam, it should be done by health care professionals. You must have the medical training to understand what a healthy prostate should look like and to be able to interpret the results. Otherwise, the exam cannot be the tool it was designed to be.
