Abdo Exam

Question 1

What sign is suggestive of peritonitis?

Answer 1

Rebound tenderness

Question 2

What is the name of the sugical procedure where the abdomen is opened?

Answer 2

Laprotomy

Question 3

What is the difference between voluntary and involuntary guarding (rigidity)?

Answer 3

Voluntary guarding is tensing of the abdominal muscles in response to pressure due to pain

Involuntary guarding is permanent, protective abdominal muscle contraction

Question 4

What are the 6 “F’s” of abdominal distention?

Answer 4

Fat

Flatus

Faeces

Fluid

Foetus

Frightfully big tumour

Question 5

What special physical signs are looked for in appendicitis?

Answer 5

Rovsing’s sign - Pain > in RIF than LIF when the LIF is pressed

Psoas sign - Pain on extending R hip while the patient lies on left (if retrocaecal appendix)

Cope/Obturator sign - pain on flexion and internal rotation of R hip if appendix in close relation to obturator internus

Question 6

How do you test for Rovsing’s sign and what is positive?

Answer 6

Place pressure in the LLQ and quickly release

Pain in the RLQ indicates a positive test and acute appendicitis

Question 7

How do you test for psoas sign? What is a positive result?

Answer 7

Have the patient lie on their left and passively extend their RLL at the hip joint or,

Have the patient flex their RLL again resistance

Pain in the RLQ indicates a positive result and acute appendicitis of a retrocaecal appendix

Question 8

How do you test for obturator sign? What is a positive result?

Answer 8

Passive flex and internally rotate the right thigh

Pain in the RLQ is a positive result and indicates acute pervic appendicitis