Abdomen

Question 1

Structure of the abdomen

Answer 1

A large oval cavity extending from the diaphragm down to the brim of the pelvis

Question 2

The function of the abdomen

Answer 2

It’s 4 layers of muscle to cover the anterior abdomen and serve to protect internal organs and flex the vertebral column

Question 3

What is the peritoneum?

Answer 3

A double layer of membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and supports and stabilizes the organs within

Question 4

What are the solid viscera (organs)

Answer 4

Maintains their characteristic shape like the liver, spleen, kidneys

Question 5

What is the hollow viscera

Answer 5

May change shape according to current contents like the bladder, stomach, intestines

Question 6

What is the partial peritoneum

Answer 6

Covers the entire inner abdomen

Question 7

What is the visceral peritoneum

Answer 7

Covers the organs

Both helps hold everything where it should be

Question 8

Organs in the right upper quadrant?

Answer 8

Liver

Gallbladder

Part of the ascending colon

Question 9

Organs in left upper quadrant

Answer 9

Stomach

Spleen

Part of the descending colon

Question 10

Organs in the right lower quadrant

Answer 10

Appendix

Ovaries and fallopian tubes

Question 11

Organs in left lower quadrant?

Answer 11

Part of the descending colon

Ovaries and fallopian tubes

Question 12

Organs located at the midline of abdomen

Answer 12

Aorta

Bladder

Uterus become abdominal organ during pregnancy

Question 13

What is lactose intolerant

Answer 13

Most children have adequate amounts of the enzyme lactase which helps to digest the carbohydrate lactose found in milk. However, many adults have declining ability to tolerate milk products containing lactose as their lactase levels drop overtime. This, especially true for Mexican Americans, an African Americans. Symptoms include pain and bloating.

Question 14

What is celiac disease

Answer 14

An auto immune disorder. Affected people cannot tolerate gluten well. This is a protein found in wheat barley, rye, and some oats. When gluten is ingested it, it inflames the intestines of those vulnerable patients causing pain, distention and diarrhea.

Question 15

Define anorexia

Answer 15

A loss of appetite for any reason

Question 16

Define dysphagia

Answer 16

Difficulty swallowing

Question 17

Define hematemesis

Answer 17

Vomiting with blood

Question 18

Define pica

Answer 18

Eating non foods such as grass, dirt, or paint chips

Question 19

Define constipation

Answer 19

Less than 3 stools/week

Straining or hard stools

Question 20

Define helicobacter pylori

Answer 20

A bacteria that commonly causes stomach ulcers

Question 21

Define melena

Answer 21

GI bleeding that can cause tarry stools

Question 22

What’s the order to collect objective date for the abdomen

Answer 22

During the physical exam of the abdomen, it is important to inspect, then auscultate prior to percussion or palpation.

Question 23

Why do we auscultate before palpate?

Answer 23

Falsely stimulate bowels sounds

Question 24

What is scaphoid and what causes it?

Answer 24

The anterior abdominal wall is sunken and presents concave.

Dehydration or poor nutrition/not enough food

Question 25

What are the contours of the abdomen

Answer 25

Scaphoid

Flat

Rounded

Protuberant

Question 26

What quadrant do we start with when auscultating the bowels

Answer 26

Lower right quadrant

Question 27

Why do we start ausculating the abdomen in the RLQ?

Answer 27

That’s where the small and large intestines attach to each other

Question 28

How often are normal bowel sounds

Answer 28

5-30 times a minute

Question 29

What are the 7 vascular sites where we listen for bruits

Answer 29

Aorta

R & L renal arteries

R & L iliac arteries

R & L femoral arteries

Question 30

Why do we percuss the abdomen

Answer 30

To asses for relative density or to screen for fluid or masses

It will normally be tympanic over most of the abdomen and dull over organs like liver or full bladder

Question 31

What is Hep A?

Answer 31

A liver infection caused by a virus that is transmitted via contaminated food or water or person to person contact

Question 32

Symptoms for Hep A

Answer 32

Fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and low grade fever

A vaccine is available

Question 33

What is Hep B and C

Answer 33

A liver infection caused by a virus. Transmitted via blood and body fluids during sexual contact or sharing of contaminated needles. Both hepatitis B and C can be short term or chronic.

Question 34

Recommendations to patients about hepatitis

Answer 34

There is an effective vaccine available for hepatitis B. Current recommendations are that all newborns and healthcare workers receive the vaccine

Question 35

What is light palpitation?

Answer 35

It is not to search for organs, but to form an overall impression of the skin surface and superficial musculature. This method avoids pain.

Question 36

What is deep palpitation?

Answer 36

It is used to feel internal organs and any masses. Require the same technique as light palpitation except you’re pushing down about 5 to 8 cm (2-3 inches)

Question 37

What is rebound tenderness?

Answer 37

Assess rebound tenderness when a person reports abdominal pain or when you elicit tenderness during palpitations. Push down slowly and deeply, then lift up quickly. This makes structures that are indented by palpitations rebound quickly. A normal, or negative, response is no pain on release of pressure. Pain on release of pressure confirms rebound tenderness, which is a reliable side of peritoneal information.