Episode 24 – Cystocele

A physical therapist reads in the medical record that a patient sustained a grade 1 cystocele. Which organ is MOST associated with this condition?

1. Bladder
2. Uterus
3. Rectum
4. Small bowel 

Welcome back to the Scorebuilders’ Question and Answer Podcast! This podcast provides members of the Scorebuilders’ team with the opportunity to explore challenging multiple-choice examination questions with students actively preparing for the licensing examination. My name is Scott Giles and I will be your host for today’s journey.

Ready? Let’s go!

A physical therapist reads in the medical record that a patient sustained a grade 1 cystocele. Which organ is MOST associated with this condition?

1. Bladder
2. Uterus
3. Rectum
4. Small bowel 

Therapists routinely access a patient’s health record to learn about the patient’s past medical history and their current condition. This allows the therapist to identify potential precautions and contraindications to treatment and develop a safe and effective plan of care. 

Failure to possess familiarity with basic medical terminology and medical conditions can significantly limit the effectiveness of the medical record review and potentially jeopardize patient safety. 

Cystocele refers to a forward and downward displacement of the bladder within the pelvic cavity. Cystocele can result from delivery-related muscle weakness or injury to the bladder’s supporting structures. 

Grade 1 Cystocele
A grade 1 cystocele occurs when the bladder drops or sags only a short way into the vagina.

Grade 2 Cystocele
A grade 2 cystocele occurs when the bladder drops to the opening or slightly outside of the vagina.

Grade 3 Cystocele
A grade 3 cystocele occurs when the bladder bulges significantly past the outside of the vagina 

Based on the information we just discussed, this question quickly becomes a slam dunk.

Let’s explore each of the options and determine which organ is most associated with this condition.

Option 1 – Bladder
Cystocele is typically associated with a weakening of the bladder’s supporting structures. Depending on the degree of weakness and how far the bladder has descended, there may be protrusion of the bladder through the anterior vaginal wall. Boom!

Option 2 – Uterus
Uterine prolapse is associated with a weakening of the uterine supporting structures. Depending on the degree of prolapse, the uterus may even protrude externally through the vaginal canal.

Option 3 – Rectum
Rectocele is associated with a weakening of the rectal supporting structures. A small tissue bulge may be noticeable depending on the degree of rectocele present.

Option 4 – Small bowel
Enterocele is most commonly diagnosed in women who have had a hysterectomy. Without the structure of the uterus for support, the small bowel may descend into the pelvic cavity and rest on the upper portion of the vagina creating a small bulge.

The correct answer is Option 1

Let’s explore the all student data:
47% of students selected Option 1, Bladder, the correct response
27% of students selected Option 2, Uterus
10% of students selected Option 3, Rectum
16% of students selected Option 4, Small bowel

System Classification
This question is an Other Systems question which represents approximately 21% of all exam items.

Content Outline Classification
This question is a Foundations for Evaluation, Differential Diagnosis, and Prognosis question which represents approximately 33% of all exam items.

Level Classification
This question is a Level 1 question since the question requires students to possess basic foundational academic knowledge. Remediation of Level 1 questions occurs through academic review of entry-level content using textbooks, review books, Basecamp, and flash cards.

Academic Focus Area
Looking to review related academic content? Check out page 563 in PTEXAM: The Complete Study Guide.

Thanks for joining us on the Scorebuilders Q and A podcast! See you next week!

Watch the video version of this Q&A episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/7vqc0Fnt_5M