A 40-year-old male has a 2-week history of rectal pain and finding blood on toilet paper. What action should the nurse practitioner take?

In assessing a patient with symptoms of rectal pain and the presence of blood on toilet paper, it is important to prioritize both the immediate management of symptoms and the likely underlying cause. The correct choice involves prescribing bulk-forming agents along with hydrocortisone suppositories.

The rationale for this approach lies in the common causes of such symptoms in a patient of this age and gender, particularly hemorrhoids or anal fissures, which can lead to bleeding and discomfort. Bulk-forming agents help to soften the stool and promote regular bowel movements, potentially alleviating the strain during defecation that may exacerbate these conditions.

Hydrocortisone suppositories can reduce inflammation and provide local relief from pain or discomfort associated with rectal issues. This dual approach targets both symptom relief and alleviating the potential underlying irritation or inflammation in the anal region.

Other options, while they may be relevant in different contexts, do not provide the immediate symptomatic relief that a patient in distress might benefit from. Scheduling a colonoscopy, while important in ruling out more serious conditions like colon cancer, may not be the most appropriate first step in a case likely related to hemorrhoid or fissure concerns. This invasive procedure typically would be reserved for cases where there are risk factors or alarming