Abdomen Flashcards
In infants, the abdominal wall is
thinner, easier to palpate organs
In infants the kidney
takes up more space in the abdomen
The infant’s bladder is
higher up in the abdomen
gastrointestinal motility in the pregnant woman is
decreased, with a prolonged gastric emptying time
salivation in the aging adult
decreases
esophageal emptying in the aging adult
is delayed, resulting in an increased risk for aspiration if fed in the supine postion
gastric acid secretion in aging
decreases. May cause pernicious anemia by interfering with vitamin b12 absorption, iron deficiency anemia, and malabsorption of calcium
the incidence of gallstones in aging adults
increases- occurs in 10-20% of middle age and older adults
Rome III criteria for constipation
- <3 bowel movements per week
- straining
- lumpy or hard stool
- feeling of incomplete evacuation and anorectal blockage
Common causes of constipation include
- Decreased physical activity
- Low fiber intake
- inadequate water intake
- side effects of medications
- irritable bowel syndrome
- bowel obstruction
- hypothyroidism
- inadequate toilet facilities
Visceral pain
dull, general, and poorly localized
Parietal pain
inflammatory, sharp, localized, aggravated by movement
What to ask about N/V
How often? Contents? Odor? Fever/Chiils? Diarrhea? Pain? Eating/travel past 24 hours?
What to ask about bowel habits
frequency color consistency diarrhea/constipation laxative use
What to ask about past abdominal hx
ulcer GB disease hepatitis/jaundice appendicitis colitis hernia surgery x-rays
overweight child subjective data
diet pattern
family’s eating pattern
body image
adolescent subjective data
breakfast eating pattern/habits exercise pattern weight loss body image menstrual irregularity
aging adult subject data abdomen
- How do you get groceries and make meals?
- Do you eat alone or with others?
- 7 day diet recall
- How often do you have BMS?
- Medications (dry mouth)?
Contour of the stomach may be
flat
scaphoid
protuberant
rounded
Sister Mary Joseph nodule
hard nodule in umbilicus that occurs with metastatic cancer of stomach, large intestine, ovary, or pancreas
umbilicus is enlarged and everted with
umbilical hernia
Marked pulsation of the aorta occurs with
widened pulse pressure- hypertension, aortic insufficiency, thyrotoxicosis, aortic aneurysm
marked visible peristalsis with a distended abdomen indicates
peristalsis
hyperactive bowel sounds
loud, high pitched, rushing, tinkling
hypoactive bowel sounds
follow abdominal surgery or inflammation of the peritoneum
Normal bowel sounds occur how often?
3-30 times/minute
systolic bruit occurs with
stenosis or occlusion of an artery
What percentage of healthy people normally have a bruit originating from the celiac artery?
4-20%
Where to auscultate for bruits
over aorta, renal, iliac, and femoral arteries
CVAT
indirect fist percussion over 12th rib at the DVA
Light palpation-
1st four fingers
gentle rotary motion
slide fingers and skin together
depress 1cm
Deep palpation
depress 5-8cm
In a large or obese abdomen, use
bimanual technique for palpation
dull note on the anterior axillary near spleen line indicates
splenomegaly, as in mononucleosis, malaria, or hepatic cirrhosis
involuntary rigidity
Constant, boardlike hardness of the muscles that occurs with peritonitis.
Thinner abdominal musculature in aging adult may result in
Visible peristalsis
Organs easier to palpate, including liver and kidneys
The liver in the aging adult is
Lower, 1-2cm below costal margin with inhalation
In acute abdominal conditions in the aging adult
Patient complains of less pain
Abdominal rigidity is less common
