Abdomen Flashcards
Structure of the abdomen
A large oval cavity extending from the diaphragm down to the brim of the pelvis
The function of the abdomen
It’s 4 layers of muscle to cover the anterior abdomen and serve to protect internal organs and flex the vertebral column
What is the peritoneum?
A double layer of membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and supports and stabilizes the organs within
What are the solid viscera (organs)
Maintains their characteristic shape like the liver, spleen, kidneys
What is the hollow viscera
May change shape according to current contents like the bladder, stomach, intestines
What is the partial peritoneum
Covers the entire inner abdomen
What is the visceral peritoneum
Covers the organs
Both helps hold everything where it should be
Organs in the right upper quadrant?
Liver
Gallbladder
Part of the ascending colon
Organs in left upper quadrant
Stomach
Spleen
Part of the descending colon
Organs in the right lower quadrant
Appendix
Ovaries and fallopian tubes
Organs in left lower quadrant?
Part of the descending colon
Ovaries and fallopian tubes
Organs located at the midline of abdomen
Aorta
Bladder
Uterus become abdominal organ during pregnancy
What is lactose intolerant
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.
What is celiac disease
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.
Define anorexia
A loss of appetite for any reason
Define dysphagia
Difficulty swallowing
Define hematemesis
Vomiting with blood
Define pica
Eating non foods such as grass, dirt, or paint chips
Define constipation
Less than 3 stools/week
Straining or hard stools
Define helicobacter pylori
A bacteria that commonly causes stomach ulcers
Define melena
GI bleeding that can cause tarry stools
What’s the order to collect objective date for the abdomen
During the physical exam of the abdomen, it is important to inspect, then auscultate prior to percussion or palpation.
Why do we auscultate before palpate?
Falsely stimulate bowels sounds
What is scaphoid and what causes it?
The anterior abdominal wall is sunken and presents concave.
Dehydration or poor nutrition/not enough food
What are the contours of the abdomen
Scaphoid
Flat
Rounded
Protuberant
What quadrant do we start with when auscultating the bowels
Lower right quadrant
Why do we start ausculating the abdomen in the RLQ?
That’s where the small and large intestines attach to each other
How often are normal bowel sounds
5-30 times a minute
What are the 7 vascular sites where we listen for bruits
Aorta
R & L renal arteries
R & L iliac arteries
R & L femoral arteries
Why do we percuss the abdomen
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
What is Hep A?
A liver infection caused by a virus that is transmitted via contaminated food or water or person to person contact
Symptoms for Hep A
Fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and low grade fever
A vaccine is available
What is Hep B and C
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.
Recommendations to patients about hepatitis
There is an effective vaccine available for hepatitis B. Current recommendations are that all newborns and healthcare workers receive the vaccine
What is light palpitation?
It is not to search for organs, but to form an overall impression of the skin surface and superficial musculature. This method avoids pain.
What is deep palpitation?
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)
What is rebound tenderness?
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.
