Abdominal Flashcards
O: “I’ve had this dull pain in my abdomen for a few days, but today it feels stronger.”
P: “It gets worse when I move or strain. Lying still seems to help.”
Q: “It feels like a deep, throbbing or pulsating pain.”
R: “The pain is in my lower abdomen and sometimes goes to my back.”
S: “I’d rate it about 6 out of 10.”
T: “It’s been on and off for a few days, but it’s been more constant today.”
I: “It’s making it hard to move around. I’m worried it might be serious.”
U: I thought it was normal, like feeling your heartbeat.
A: “I feel a pulsing sensation in my stomach and some back discomfort. No fever, no vomiting.”
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)
A pulsating mass in the upper abdomen, usually asymptomatic until it becomes large or ruptures. May hear a bruit. High risk if >5 cm. Avoid palpation if suspected rupture.
O: “My belly started swelling gradually about 2 weeks ago.”
P: “The pressure gets worse after I eat or when I sit up. Lying on my side helps a little.”
Q: “It feels like tightness and heaviness in my abdomen, and it’s getting harder to move.”
R: “The discomfort is in my whole belly. No pain going to my back or legs.”
S: “The discomfort is about a 5 out of 10. It’s not sharp pain, but it’s very uncomfortable.”
T: “It’s been getting worse every day — my belly keeps growing.”
I: “I feel full quickly when I eat, and I can’t bend or sleep well.”
U: I thought it was weight gain.
A: “Bloating, shortness of breath when lying down, decreased appetite, and fatigue.”
Ascites
Abdominal swelling from fluid accumulation. Flanks bulge, umbilicus may protrude or be everted. Associated with liver disease, cancer, or severe malnutrition.
O: “I started noticing a swelling or lump in my belly about a month ago. It’s been slowly growing.”
P: “It feels more uncomfortable after I eat or if I sit for too long. Lying on my back helps a little.”
Q: “It’s a constant pressure — not sharp, but very heavy and tight.”
R: “The pressure is in the middle and lower part of my abdomen. It doesn’t spread elsewhere.”
S: “The discomfort is around 5 out of 10. It’s worse when I eat or move too much.”
T: “It’s constant, but I notice it more after meals or when lying flat.”
I: “It’s hard to eat, I feel full quickly, and my clothes don’t fit around my waist.”
U: No
A: “Bloating, early satiety (feeling full fast), mild constipation, and fatigue.”
Abdominal Tumor
Firm, localized mass. May displace organs or restrict movement. Dull over mass, tympany around it. Often non-tender.
O: “I started feeling bloated and gassy last night after dinner.”
P: “It gets worse after I eat or when I sit still. Walking around and passing gas helps.”
Q: “It feels like a tight, crampy pressure in my stomach.”
R: “Mostly around my belly button and lower belly. Sometimes it moves side to side.”
S: “About 4 out of 10. Just very uncomfortable.”
T: “It comes and goes, especially after meals or when I don’t move.”
I: “I feel too bloated to eat or bend forward comfortably. Loud gurgling sounds and lots of gas.”
U: No
A: “Bloating, burping, mild cramping, and less appetite. No vomiting or fever.”
Air or Gas
Distended abdomen, possibly tender. Hyperresonance on percussion. May be associated with obstruction.
O: “I haven’t had a bowel movement in about 4 days. I usually go every day.”
P: “It feels worse after eating. I tried drinking water and moving around, but not much has helped yet.”
Q: “It’s a heavy, bloated feeling with occasional cramping.”
R: “In my lower abdomen, mostly in the center. Doesn’t spread anywhere.”
S: “About 5 out of 10. Not sharp, just uncomfortable and annoying.”
T: “The discomfort builds up during the day and is worse in the evening.”
I: “I feel full all the time, and I’m eating less. I feel sluggish.”
U: “I think I’m constipated. I haven’t changed my diet or meds recently.”
A: “Bloating, no bowel movement in days, cramping, and hard stools.”
Feces (Constipation)
Localized abdominal distension. May feel a palpable mass. Dullness to percussion.
O: “I started feeling fullness in the upper right side of my belly about a week ago.”
P: “It gets worse after I eat or when I bend over. Lying on my back helps a bit.”
Q: “It feels like pressure or fullness, not sharp pain.”
R: “In the upper right abdomen under my ribs. It doesn’t spread.”
S: “About 4 out of 10 — more discomfort than pain.”
T: “The pressure is constant, but worse after meals.”
I: “I get full quickly and have trouble sleeping on my right side. Poor appetite.”
U: “They told me my liver is swollen, probably from my liver condition.”
A: “Bloating, early satiety, mild nausea, and sometimes fatigue.”
Enlarged Liver
Smooth, enlarged liver edge below right rib cage. May indicate hepatitis, fatty liver, or early heart failure.
O: “I started feeling discomfort on my left side about a week ago. It’s getting more noticeable.”
P: “It gets worse after I eat or take a deep breath. Resting or lying on my right side helps.”
Q: “It’s a dull pressure, not sharp. I feel full quickly.”
R: “In the upper left side of my abdomen, just under my ribs. Sometimes it goes to my left shoulder.”
S: “About 3 or 4 out of 10. More uncomfortable than painful.”
T: “It’s always there but worse after meals or with movement.”
I: “I eat less, feel bloated, and avoid lying on my left side.”
U: “They told me my spleen is enlarged, but I don’t know why.”
A: “Early fullness, fatigue, left-sided pressure, and sometimes mild nausea. No fever.”
Enlarged Spleen
Palpable under left rib cage when very large. Common with mono, liver disease, or cancers.
O: “I started feeling sharp pain in my abdomen a couple of days ago, and it hasn’t gone away.”
P: “It gets worse when I breathe deeply, cough, or move. Staying still helps.”
Q: “It’s a sharp, grating pain that feels like something’s rubbing inside.”
R: “Mostly on the right side of my belly, near my ribs. It doesn’t go anywhere else.”
S: “About 6 or 7 out of 10 when I move or breathe deeply.”
T: “It’s constant but gets worse with any motion or deep breaths.”
I: “I can’t lie flat or walk comfortably. I’m guarding that side of my body.”
U: “I’m not sure what’s going on. They said they heard something unusual with the stethoscope.”
A: “Sharp localized pain, shallow breathing, guarding, and tenderness. No bowel changes.”
Peritoneal Friction Rub
A rough, grating sound heard over inflamed peritoneum, like rubbing leather. Indicates peritonitis, abscess, or tumor.
O: “I haven’t felt pain, but they said they heard something unusual in my abdomen during an exam.”
P: “There’s no pain, but I do feel some pressure or fullness when I eat large meals.”
Q: “I don’t hear or feel anything, but they said it sounds like a continuous humming sound.”
R: “They heard it around my upper belly near the belly button.”
S: “No pain, just mild discomfort or bloating after meals.”
T: “I’m not sure. It was noticed during a routine physical exam.”
I: “I get full faster and feel bloated more easily than before.”
U: “They told me it might be linked to liver problems or blood flow changes.”
A: “I’ve had bloating, mild swelling in my legs, and occasional fatigue. No sharp pain or vomiting.”
Venous Hum
A continuous medium-pitched sound near the belly button due to portal hypertension (liver disease).
O: “I started feeling discomfort in the upper right part of my belly a few weeks ago.”
P: “It gets worse after I eat or when I press on that area. Resting or lying on my left side helps.”
Q: “It’s a dull pressure with a feeling of fullness. Not sharp, just uncomfortable.”
R: “It’s just under my right rib cage. Sometimes it spreads to my right shoulder.”
S: “I’d say it’s a 4 out of 10. Enough to make me not want to eat much.”
T: “It’s always there, but worse after meals or at night.”
I: “I feel full very quickly, tired, and sometimes nauseous after eating.”
U: “They told me I have a liver problem and it’s gotten bigger and harder.”
A: “Bloating, early satiety, fatigue, swollen ankles, and yellowish skin sometimes.”
Enlarged Nodular Liver
O: “I started feeling pain in my upper right abdomen after eating a fatty meal yesterday.”
P: “The pain gets worse after eating, especially greasy foods. It feels better when I lie still and don’t eat.”
Q: “It’s a sharp, cramping pain that comes and goes. Sometimes it’s a dull ache between attacks.”
R: “It’s in my upper right abdomen and sometimes goes to my right shoulder blade.”
S: “When it hits, it’s about 7 out of 10. Between attacks, it’s more like a 3.”
T: “It comes on after meals and lasts for a few hours.”
I: “I try not to eat big meals anymore because I’m afraid of triggering pain.”
U: “They said my gallbladder is swollen and might have stones blocking it.”
A: “Nausea, bloating, loss of appetite, and pain after eating. No vomiting or fever right now.”
Enlarged Gallbladder
Usually due to acute cholecystitis. Painful RUQ mass, positive Murphy’s sign.
O:“I started feeling a dull pain in my lower back about a week ago. It’s been gradually getting worse.”
P: “It hurts more when I move or stretch. Resting helps a bit.”
Q: “It’s a deep, dull ache — not sharp, but constant.”
R: “On one side of my lower back, near my flank. Sometimes it spreads to my side or groin.”
S: “About a 5 out of 10 most of the time.”
T: “It’s constant but gets worse in the evening or when I’m more active.”
I: “It makes it hard to sleep on that side or bend over. I feel tired and bloated.”
U: I thought it was muscle pain.
A: “Flank pain, mild nausea, feeling of fullness, sometimes needing to pee more or less.”
Enlarged Kidney
Felt as a smooth, firm mass in the flank. May be mistaken for spleen. Tympanic over bowel, dull over kidney.
O: “I noticed a bulge near my belly button a few weeks ago. It wasn’t painful at first.”
P: “The bulge gets bigger when I cough, lift something, or strain. Lying down makes it go down.”
Q: “It feels like pressure or fullness. Sometimes it aches after standing a long time.”
R: “Right around my belly button. The discomfort stays there.”
S: “About a 3 out of 10 — not painful, just uncomfortable.”
T: “About a 3 out of 10 — not painful, just uncomfortable.”
I: “I avoid lifting heavy things or bending over too much.”
U: I thought it was just a lump.
A: “Bulge at the navel, mild discomfort, especially when straining. No vomiting or severe pain.”
Umbilical Hernia
Soft mass at the belly button, more noticeable when crying or straining.
O: “I noticed a small bump in the upper part of my stomach a couple of weeks ago.”
P: “It bulges more when I cough, laugh, or lift things. It flattens when I lie down.”
Q: “It feels like a soft bulge or pressure. Sometimes there’s a dull ache after eating or moving around.”
R: “In the upper middle part of my abdomen, between my ribs and belly button. It doesn’t spread.”
S: “About 2 to 3 out of 10 — not painful, just annoying.”
T: “It comes out when I strain or stand, but goes back in when I rest.”
I: “I’m trying not to lift heavy stuff, but otherwise I do normal things.”
U: “They told me it’s a small epigastric hernia and I don’t need surgery unless it causes problems.”
A: “Small bulge, mild discomfort or fullness. No nausea, vomiting, or severe pain.”
Epigastric Hernia
Small midline lump above the umbilicus, seen more when standing or raising abdominal pressure.
O: “I noticed a soft bulge near my old surgery scar a few weeks ago.”
P: “It gets bigger when I cough or stand up. Lying down or applying light pressure makes it go back in.”
Q: “It feels like pressure or a mild pulling sensation near the scar. No sharp pain.”
R: “Right at the scar from my past abdominal surgery. Doesn’t spread elsewhere.”
S: “About 3 out of 10 — mostly discomfort, especially when I’m active.”
T: “It comes and goes throughout the day, worse with movement or lifting.”
I: “I avoid heavy lifting and try not to bend too much. It makes work harder.”
U: I know it’s from my old surgery.
A: “Soft bulge at scar site, mild discomfort, and a feeling of weakness in the area. No redness, fever, or vomiting.”
Incisional Hernia
Occurs at site of an old surgical scar. Visible when standing or straining.
