Abdomen

Question 1

T/F: Total absence of bowel sounds is a sign of intra-abdominal emergency. (Must listen for minimum of 2-5 minutes)

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Excessive fluid within the abdomen. Caused by liver disease/cirrhosis

Answer 2

Ascites

Question 3

A palpation technique in which you “bounce” a floating structure and feel it rebound (e.g. Kidneys - one hand on posterior, one anterior)

Answer 3

Ballottement

Question 4

Prolonged, audible abdominal sounds produced by gas moving through the intestines (hyper peristalsis, stomach growling)

Answer 4

Borborygmi

Question 5

Stones or solid lumps (gallstones, kidney stones)

Answer 5

Calculi

Question 6

Attacks of abdominal pain, caused by muscle spasms in the intestines - common in infants

Answer 6

Colic

Question 7

Indigestion. Symptoms include heartburn, nausea, bloating and gas

Answer 7

Dyspepsia

Question 8

Problems in swallowing food or liquids

Answer 8

Dysphagia

Question 9

Accidental passage of bowel

Answer 9

Encopresis

Question 10

Vomiting of blood (from GI tract)

Answer 10

Hematemesis

Question 11

Passage of dark-colored, tarry stools due to the presence of blood, altered by the intestinal juices.

Answer 11

Melena

Question 12

Severe itching of the skin

Answer 12

Pruritus

Question 13

Yellow fatty feces caused by malabsorption syndrome. Frequent, fatty, foul smelling

Answer 13

Steatorrhea

Question 14

Straining to have a bowel movement. May be painful and continue for a long time without a bowel movement.

Answer 14

Tenesmus

Question 15

Stretched veins

Answer 15

Varices

Question 16

Dry mouth

Answer 16

Xerostomia

Question 17

A hepatic bruit and friction rubs could indicate?

Answer 17

Liver cancer

Question 18

An inflammatory bowel disease in which the rectum and/or colon develop ulcers

Answer 18

Ulcerative Colitis

Question 19

Positive rebound tenderness AND Rovsing Sign, along with rigidity noted over the abdomen on palpation might tell you? (Not appendicitis)

Answer 19

Ulcerative Colitis

Question 20

A type of irritable bowel disease that causes inflammation of the intestinal lining. Most commonly affects ileum and colon.

Answer 20

Crohn’s Disease

Question 21

Inflammation of the peritoneum. Severe muscle guarding (board-like rigidity) may accompany. Friction rubs may occur.

Answer 21

Peritonitis

Question 22

What sound dominates throughout the abdominal cavity?

Answer 22

Tympany (air in the gut)

Question 23

Partial or early obstruction of the small intestine would produce ____ sounds, while late or total obstruction would produce ___ sounds. (Hyperactive, Hypoactive)

Answer 23

Hyperactive/loud, hypoactive

Question 24

Abdominal sounds “silent as the grave”

Answer 24

Paralytic ileus

Question 25

The inability of the intestine to contract normally and move waste out of the body. Paralysis of the intestinal muscles. Leads to a functional blockage of the intestine.

Answer 25

Paralytic ileus (Ileus)

Question 26

Protrusion of the intestinal contents. Occur in areas of abdominal wall weakness. Groin is most common. Scars and umbilicus are also common.

Answer 26

Hernia

Question 27

A sign of an abnormally tender gall bladder. Patient stops inspiration due to increasing pain as they breath in.

Answer 27

Murphy’s sign

Question 28

____ occurs when bile becomes trapped in the gallbladder. This often happens because gallstones block the cystic duct leading to swelling and infection.

Answer 28

Acute cholecystis

Question 29

When the cardiac sphincter allows stomach contents to reflux into the esophagus causing irritation

Answer 29

GERD (Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease)

Question 30

Breakdown in the lining of the stomach or duodenum

Answer 30

Peptic ulcer

Question 31

T/F: A palpable spleen is normal, aka not a “red flag”

Answer 31

FALSE

Question 32

The spleen only becomes palpable if it is __ times it’s normal size

Answer 32

3X

Question 33

Another name for kidney stones

Answer 33

Nephrolithiasis

Question 34

Kidney infection

Answer 34

Pyelonephritis