Abdomen Flashcards
Explain where one might hear tympani and dullness when percussing the abdomen
Tympani in all 4 quadrants – normal sound
Dullness over RUQ - high under costal margin – liver
Resonance ONLY in lung fields
Explain how to percuss the liver span and spleen. What is normal?
Hold breath or let out all breath – (liver moves) and percuss downward at L Mid clavicular line – area of dullness Is measured – 5-10 cm (women smaller than men)
How are the fluid wave and shifting dullness tests performed? What do they indicate?
Fluid wave – push on one side of patient’s abdomen – with patient supine – put patient hand in middle and feel wave (if there is fluid) on other side of abdomen.. if not fluid but fat, the patient hand will stop the “wave” - Shifting dullness – percuss as patient is supine from tympani to dullness then have lay on side and do same. IF fluid, the fluid shifts and dullness shifts - both indicate ascites = 3rd space or extracell. Spacing of fluid from VEINS and PROTEIN which pulls more fluid from the veins = edema
What are the differences between light and deep palpation? What are the purposes of each?
Light for superficial masses, muscle tone, symmetry, pain
Deep palpation for organomegaly
What is rebound tenderness? IF + = peritoneal inflammation
Done by pushing into abdomen and quickly bringing hands up – the reflexive bounce causes peritoneal spasm – PAIN if inflamed = +Blumbergs test
What examination findings would you expect with each condition?
Obesity
Protruberant abdomen with negative fluid wave- probable striae
What examination findings would you expect with each condition?
Ascites
+ fluid wave and shifting dullness and history of liver or cancer issue –
See LOW albumin in their blood levels – other edema?
What examination findings would you expect with each condition?
Gaseous distention
tons of tympani with a distended abdomen – common with ileus where intestinal motility stops/slows and gas-producing bacteria is hanging in one place of intestine.
What examination findings would you expect with each condition?
Tumor
area of organomegaly or mass palpable with deep palpation – dullness on percussion
What tests are done for a person with suspected appendicitis?
Psoas – right leg lift -
Obturator – bent R leg – ab and adducted
Rebound – Blumbergs – peritoneal irritation/perforation
+White blood count – Ultrasound – CT
What tests are done for a person with suspected cholecystitis?
Murphy – palpation of gallbladder with the inhalation of breath – liver moves up – fingers touch gallbladder - + liver function tests and ultrasound for stones
What are the symptoms of Crohns and Ulcerative colitis?
Bloody mucousy, diarrhea, bloating, gas, urgency to have stool – abdominal pain - may have anal and rectal ulcers
What does it mean to have melena (black, tarry stools) or Bright red blood per stool?
Melena – black tarry stools are sign of blood that HAS been digested by HCL acid (stomach) or upper GI
Bright red blood in stool has NOT been digested – lower GI tract – hemorrhoids
What are some signs of internal abdominal bleeding?
Cullen, Grey Turner Flank, HYPOTENSION, TACHYCARDIA, low blood count, shock (poor perfusion) and rebound tenderness
Which structure is located in the left lower quadrant of the abdomen?
- Liver
- Duodenum
- Gallbladder
- Sigmoid colon
Sigmoid colon
The sigmoid colon is located in the left lower quadrant of the abdomen.
A patient is having difficulty in swallowing medications and food. The nurse would document that this patient has:
- aphasia.
- dysphasia.
- dysphagia.
- myophagia.
Dysphagia
Dysphagia is a condition that occurs with disorders of the throat or esophagus and results in difficulty swallowing
The nurse is aware that a change that may occur in the gastrointestinal system of an aging adult is:
- increased salivation.
- decreased peristalsis.
- increased esophageal emptying.
- decreased gastric acid secretion.
decreased gastric acid secretion.
As one ages, salivation decreases, esophageal emptying is delayed, and peristalsis is thought to remain fairly constant. Gastric acid secretion decreases with aging. Decreased peristalsis may result from decreased bulk in diet, decreased fluid intake, or laxative abuse.
A patient s abdomen is bulging and stretched in appearance. The nurse would describe this finding as:
- obese.
- herniated.
- scaphoid.
- protuberant.
protuberant
A protuberant abdomen is rounded, bulging, and stretched. See Figure 21-7.
The nurse notes that a patient has had a black, tarry stool and recalls that a possible cause would be:
- gallbladder disease.
- overuse of laxatives.
- gastrointestinal bleeding.
- localized bleeding around the anus.
gastrointestinal bleeding.
Black stools may be tarry as a result of occult blood (melena) from gastrointestinal bleeding. Red blood in stools occurs with localized bleeding around the anus.