Abdomen Flashcards by Candy .

What quadrants is the abdomen divided into?

Left upper quadrant (LUQ)
Left lower quadrant (LLQ)
Right upper quadrant (RUQ)
Right lower quadrant (RLQ)

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What is located in the LUQ?

Stomach, spleen, left kidney

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What is located in the LLQ?

Sections of colon and small intestines

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What is located in the RUQ?

Liver, gallbladder, right kidney

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What is located in the RLQ?

Cecum, appendix

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Define cecum

Proximal large bowel

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Define voluntary motion

Motion that can be controlled

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What can cause voluntary motion?

Nervousness, fear, discomfort, age, mental illness, breathing

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What can you do to control voluntary motion?

Give clear instructions and provide comfort to patient

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Define involuntary motion

Motion that cannot be controlled

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What can cause involuntary motion?

Heart pulsation, chills, pain, tremors, spasms, or peristalsis

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What can you do to control involuntary motion?

Use a high mA station to get shortest exposure time

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What is peristalsis?

Muscle contractions that move food along digestive tract towards rectum

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What are routine projections for an abdomen x-ray?

AP supine, AP upright

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What is the SID for an abdomen x-ray?

40”

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What must an abdomen x-ray include?

Kidney, ureter, bladder (KUB)

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What is the KVP for a grid abdomen x-ray?

80 KVP

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What does KUB stand for?

Kidneys, ureters, bladder

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In an AP supine abdomen/KUB, how is the patient positioned?

Patient supine with midsagittal plane of body centered to the grid

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In an AP supine abdomen/KUB, where do you direct the central ray?

Perpendicular to IR at the level of the iliac crests

2 AP projections may be needed depending on the patient’s…

Body habitus

If 2 films are needed, how would you take the upper abdomen film?

By positioning the upper edge of the IR at the axillary region and directing the CR to the midpoint of the IR

How would you take the lower abdomen film or for a bladder spot?

Position the lower edge of the IR just below the pubic symphysis and direct the CR to the IR

Apply gonad shielding for examination of…

Male patients

Exposure of the abdomen are taken on…

Expiration

Why are abdomen x-rays taken on expiration?

Because peristalsis is least active and diaphragm moves to its most superior position to better visualize abdominal structures

What areas of the body must be demonstrated on a film in order to include the kidneys, ureters, and bladder?

Entire area from pubic symphysis to the upper abdomen or diaphragm

On an abdomen film, what should be in the center of the radiograph?

Vertebral column

On an abdomen film, what should be visible on either side of the spine?

The psoas muscle

How is a patient positioned for an AP upright abdomen?

Upright with back to the vertical grid and midsagittal plane of the body centered to the midline of the grid

In an AP upright abdomen, how is the IR positioned?

Position the IR with the upper edge at the axillary region and direct the CR to the midpoint of IR

Why must the entire diaphragm be included on the upright film?

To demonstrate free air in the peritoneal space

In the upright position, where will free air rise to?

The level just beneath the diaphragm

Besides free air, what else will an upright abdomen film demonstrate?

Air/fluid levels in bowel

If a 2 view abdomen is requested on a patient that is unable to tolerate upright position, what is taken instead?

A left lateral decubitus

How is the patient positioned for a left lateral decubitus abdomen film?

Patient is placed in a left lateral position with their arms above their head

Why is the patient placed in a left lateral position?

Position will allow any free air to rise to the area under the right hemidiaphragm where it will not be superimposed by the gastric bubble (stomach on left side= left side down

Why is it recommended to allow the patient to lie on their side for several minutes before doing a left later decubitus abdomen film?

To allow air to rise to its highest level

Where do you place the IR in a left lateral decubitus?

Against the posterior surface so that the upper edge is at the level of the axillary region

Where do you direct the CR when doing a left lateral decubitus?

Horizontal and perpendicular to center of IR

What will a left lateral decubitus film demonstrate?

Free air and air/fluid levels within the abdomen

What is free air?

The escape of air from the GI tract through perforation or trauma

How is the patient placed for a dorsal decubitus abdomen film?

Patient is supine with arms above their their head and their left or right side against IR

Where is the IR placed when doing a dorsal decubitus abdomen x-ray?

IR is against patient’s side so that upper edge is at the left of the axillary region

How is the CR directed during an abdomen dorsal decubitus?

CR is directed horizontal and perpendicular to center of IR, entering along the midcoronal plane

What will a dorsal decubitus abdomen film demonstrate?

Air/fluid levels within the abdomen

Where is the psoas muscle?

What are the highlighted parts?