ABD Exam Lectures Flashcards
What causes visceral pain?
- distention, stretching, or contracting of hollow organs
- stretching the capsule of solid organs
- organ ischemia
Where is visceral pain usually felt?
in the midline at the level of the structure involved; not localized
What causes parietal (somatic) pain?
inflammation in the parietal peritoneum
How is parietal (somatic) pain described?
usually more constant/severe than visceral pain; localized; aggravated by movement and alleviated by remaining still
What is referred pain?
pain that originates in the ABD but is felt at distant site which are innervated at approximately the same spinal levels as the disordered structure
What 2 questions from OLDCAAARTS are most important to ask about w/ ABD pain?
Location and alleviating/aggravating factors
What are each of the following associated w/ in the ABD: blood thinners, NSAIDs, narcotics, and steroids?
- blood thinners: GI bleed
- NSAIDs: risk factor for gastritis and PUD
- Narcotics: constipation
- Steroids: perforated viscus
Why are smoking, alcohol, and drug use important to ask about with a GI complaint?
- smoking: irritates lining of stomach -> PUD or gastritis
- alcohol: liver disease
- Drugs: HTC can cause hyperemesis
What 4 additional questions should you ask with a GI complaint in the SHx?
- stress
- travel
- well water
- ingestion of undercooked meat
What are the 4 steps to an ABD exam?
- inspection
- auscultation
- percussion
- palpation
What are 4 landmarks you should inspect on the ABD?
- xiphoid process of sternum
- costal margins
- umbilicus
- ASIS
Name 5 organs that could cause RUQ pain
liver, gallbladder, stomach, SI, LI
Name 4 organs that could cause RLQ pain
appendix, ovary, SI, LI
Name 4 organs that could cause LLQ pain
sigmoid colon, ovary, SI, LI
Name 4 organs that could cause LUQ pain
spleen, stomach, SI, LI
Name 6 organs that could cause epigastric pain
pancreas, liver, gallbladder, stomach, SI, LI
Name an organ that could cause suprapubic pain
bladder
Name 6 things you should inspect the surface of the ABD for
surgical scars, striae, skin colon, dilated veins, rash, ecchymosis
What side of the stethoscope would you use to listen for bowel sounds and bruits?
bowel sounds: diaphragm
bruits: bell
What could absent bowel sounds indicate?
long lasting intestinal obstruction, mesenteric ischemia
What could decreased bowel sounds indicate?
post-surgical ileus, peritonitis
What could increased bowel sounds indicate?
diarrhea, early bowel obstruction