Abdomen Flashcards
Pain or distress occurs in the area of the patients heart or stomach on palpation of McBurney’s point
Aaron sign (Appendicitis)
Fixed dullness to percussion in left flank, and dullness in right flank that disappears in change of position
Ballance sign (Peritoneal irritation)
Rebound Tenderness
Blumberg sign (peritoneal irritation, appendicitis)
Ecchymosis around umbilicus
Cullen sign (Hemoperitoneum, pancreatitis, ectopic pregnancy)
Absence of bowel sounds in right lower quadrant
Dance sign (Intussusception)
Ecchymosis of flanks
Grey Turner sign (Hemoperitoneum, pancreatitis)
Abdominal pain radiating to left shoulder
Kehr sign (spleen rupture, renal calculi, ectopic pregnancy)
Patient stands with straightened knees, then raises up on toes, relaxes and allows heels to hit floor, thus jarring body. Action will cause abdominal pain if positive
Markle (heel jar) sign (peritoneal irritation, appendicitis)
Rebound tenderness and sharp pain when McBurney’s point is palpated
McBurney sign (appendicitis)
Abrupt cessation of inspiration on palpation of gallbladder
Murphy sign (Cholecystitis)
Pain down the medial aspect of the thigh to the knees
Romberg-Howship sign (strangulated obturator hernia)
RLQ pain intensified by LLQ palpation
Rovsing sign (Peritoneal irritation, appendicitis)
Characteristic of peptic ulcer
Burning
Characteristic of biliary colic, gastroenteritis
Cramping
Characteristic of appendicitis with impacted feces or renal stone
Colicky
Characteristic of Appendiceal irritation
Aching
Characteristic of Pancreatitis
Knifelike
Characteristic of Aortic dissection
Ripping, Tearing
Characteristic of Infection
Gradual onset
Characteristic of duodenal ulcer, acute pancreatitis, obstruction or perforation
Sudden onset
Initially pre-umbilical or epigastric colicky; later becomes localized to the RLQ, often at McBurney’s point
Appendicitis
Onset sudden or gradual; pain generalized, dull or severe, unrelenting, guarding and pain on deep inspiration
Peritonitis
Severe, unrelenting RUQ or epigastric pain; may be referred to right subscapular area
Cholecystitis
Dramatic, sudden, excruciating LUQ, epigastric, or umbilical pain; may be referred to the left shoulder and penetrates to the back
Pancreatitis
Lower quadrant, worse on left
Salpingitis
Lower quadrant, increases with activity
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Epigastric, radiating down left side of abdomen especially after eating; may be referred to the back
Diverticulitis
Abrupt RUQ; may be referred to shoulders
Perforated gastric or duodenal ulcer
Abrupt, severe, colicky, spasmodic, referred to epigastrium, umbilicus
Intestinal obstruction
Steady throbbing midline over aneurysm; may penetrate to back and flank
Leaking abdominal aneurysm
Intense; flank extending to the groin and genitals, may be episodic
Renal calculi
Intense, LUQ radiating to left shoulder may worsen with foot of bed elevated
Splenic rupture
Hypogastric pain; crampy; associated with bowel function
Irritable bowel syndrome
Colicky or dull and steady pain that does not progress and worsen
Constipation
Burning or gnawing pain in mid-epigastrium, worsens with recumbency and certain foods
Esophagitis/GERD
Constant burning in the epigastrium
Gastritis
