Abdominal Flashcards
What are the four abdominal quadrants?
RUQ, LUQ, RLQ, LLQ
What are the nine abdominal areas?
RUQ, LUQ, RLQ, LLQ, Epigastric, Hypogastric, Right Flank, Left Flank, Periumbilical
What does ROS stand for in a medical context?
Review of Systems
In assessing pain, what questions should be asked?
Pain-where, when, better, worse, describe, NVD, LMP, pregnancy?
What does NVD stand for?
Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea
What indicates bilious vomiting?
Obstruction
What can epigastric pain after several episodes of vomiting indicate?
Esophageal tears
What are fatty stools called?
Steatorrhea
What does bright red blood in the stool indicate?
Lower GI bleeding
What is jaundice often associated with?
Mono, liver failure from high bilirubin
How long should abdominal auscultation be performed?
At least 15 seconds
What does absent bowel sounds suggest?
Paralytic ileus or peritonitis
What is borborygmi?
Low-pitched rumbling sounds associated with hyperperistalsis
What does shifting dullness indicate?
Ascites
What is McBurney’s Point?
One-third of the distance from the anterior superior iliac spine to the umbilicus on the right side
What is Murphy’s Sign used to diagnose?
Cholecystitis
What does the Psoas Sign indicate?
Appendicitis
What is the significance of Costovertebral Angle Tenderness (CVAT)?
Indicates inflammation of the kidney, possibly pyelonephritis
What is Cullen’s Sign?
Bluish discoloration of the umbilicus from hemoperitoneum
What does liver disease commonly cause?
Ascites, Jaundice, Gynecomastia, Lower Extremity Edema, Varices
What is the normal liver span when percussed?
No more than 10 cm
What is the first step in the abdominal exam sequence?
Inspection
Fill in the blank: The presence of a sloshing sound during auscultation suggests _______.
[distention of the stomach or colon]
True or False: Appendicitis can present with referred pain in the umbilical area.
True
What does the term ‘melena’ refer to?
Black stools indicating upper GI bleed
What is the purpose of light palpation during an abdominal exam?
Identify tenderness and superficial masses
What indicates a positive Murphy’s Sign?
Pain that halts further inspiratory effort
What condition is indicated by a fluid wave during palpation?
Ascites
What does the term ‘striae’ refer to in a medical examination?
Stretch marks on the skin
What could be indicated by a pulsatile mass during palpation?
Aortic aneurysm or other vascular issues
What is a common cause of steatorrhea?
Malabsorption syndromes
What does ascites typically result from?
Liver failure or heart failure
What is the significance of bruising in the abdominal area?
May indicate trauma or internal bleeding
What is the recommended positioning for an abdominal exam?
Supine, knees bent, abdomen exposed
What is the clinical significance of reduced bowel sounds?
May indicate intestinal obstruction or peritonitis
