Abdomen

Question 1

Pain or distress occurs in the area of the patients heart or stomach on palpation of McBurney’s point

Answer 1

Aaron sign (Appendicitis)

Question 2

Fixed dullness to percussion in left flank, and dullness in right flank that disappears in change of position

Answer 2

Ballance sign (Peritoneal irritation)

Question 3

Rebound Tenderness

Answer 3

Blumberg sign (peritoneal irritation, appendicitis)

Question 4

Ecchymosis around umbilicus

Answer 4

Cullen sign (Hemoperitoneum, pancreatitis, ectopic pregnancy)

Question 5

Absence of bowel sounds in right lower quadrant

Answer 5

Dance sign (Intussusception)

Question 6

Ecchymosis of flanks

Answer 6

Grey Turner sign (Hemoperitoneum, pancreatitis)

Question 7

Abdominal pain radiating to left shoulder

Answer 7

Kehr sign (spleen rupture, renal calculi, ectopic pregnancy)

Question 8

Patient stands with straightened knees, then raises up on toes, relaxes and allows heels to hit floor, thus jarring body. Action will cause abdominal pain if positive

Answer 8

Markle (heel jar) sign (peritoneal irritation, appendicitis)

Question 9

Rebound tenderness and sharp pain when McBurney’s point is palpated

Answer 9

McBurney sign (appendicitis)

Question 10

Abrupt cessation of inspiration on palpation of gallbladder

Answer 10

Murphy sign (Cholecystitis)

Question 11

Pain down the medial aspect of the thigh to the knees

Answer 11

Romberg-Howship sign (strangulated obturator hernia)

Question 12

RLQ pain intensified by LLQ palpation

Answer 12

Rovsing sign (Peritoneal irritation, appendicitis)

Question 13

Characteristic of peptic ulcer

Answer 13

Burning

Question 14

Characteristic of biliary colic, gastroenteritis

Answer 14

Cramping

Question 15

Characteristic of appendicitis with impacted feces or renal stone

Answer 15

Colicky

Question 16

Characteristic of Appendiceal irritation

Answer 16

Aching

Question 17

Characteristic of Pancreatitis

Answer 17

Knifelike

Question 18

Characteristic of Aortic dissection

Answer 18

Ripping, Tearing

Question 19

Characteristic of Infection

Answer 19

Gradual onset

Question 20

Characteristic of duodenal ulcer, acute pancreatitis, obstruction or perforation

Answer 20

Sudden onset

Question 21

Initially pre-umbilical or epigastric colicky; later becomes localized to the RLQ, often at McBurney’s point

Answer 21

Appendicitis

Question 22

Onset sudden or gradual; pain generalized, dull or severe, unrelenting, guarding and pain on deep inspiration

Answer 22

Peritonitis

Question 23

Severe, unrelenting RUQ or epigastric pain; may be referred to right subscapular area

Answer 23

Cholecystitis

Question 24

Dramatic, sudden, excruciating LUQ, epigastric, or umbilical pain; may be referred to the left shoulder and penetrates to the back

Answer 24

Pancreatitis

Question 25

Lower quadrant, worse on left

Answer 25

Salpingitis

Question 26

Lower quadrant, increases with activity

Answer 26

Pelvic inflammatory disease

Question 27

Epigastric, radiating down left side of abdomen especially after eating; may be referred to the back

Answer 27

Diverticulitis

Question 28

Abrupt RUQ; may be referred to shoulders

Answer 28

Perforated gastric or duodenal ulcer

Question 29

Abrupt, severe, colicky, spasmodic, referred to epigastrium, umbilicus

Answer 29

Intestinal obstruction

Question 30

Steady throbbing midline over aneurysm; may penetrate to back and flank

Answer 30

Leaking abdominal aneurysm

Question 31

Intense; flank extending to the groin and genitals, may be episodic

Answer 31

Renal calculi

Question 32

Intense, LUQ radiating to left shoulder may worsen with foot of bed elevated

Answer 32

Splenic rupture

Question 33

Hypogastric pain; crampy; associated with bowel function

Answer 33

Irritable bowel syndrome

Question 34

Colicky or dull and steady pain that does not progress and worsen

Answer 34

Constipation

Question 35

Burning or gnawing pain in mid-epigastrium, worsens with recumbency and certain foods

Answer 35

Esophagitis/GERD

Question 36

Constant burning in the epigastrium

Answer 36

Gastritis