Abdominal

Question 1

Cullen sign

Answer 1

bluish umbilicus indicates intraperitoneal hemorrhage

Question 2

Ballottement

Answer 2

palpation technique used to assess an organ or mass

Question 3

Grey Turner sign

Answer 3

bruising between the last rib and the top of the hip, sign of retroperitoneal hemorrhage

Question 4

Shifting dullness

Answer 4

test for ascites, determine area of dullness while patient is supine and on their side

Question 5

Murphy sign

Answer 5

test for gall-bladder irritation, palpate below liver margin at lateral border of rectus abdominus, have patient inhale deeply -> if patient experiences pain, will abruptly halt inspiration (if painful, document as + Murphy sign)

Question 6

Fluid wave

Answer 6

test for ascites, pt uses their hand as a barrier in mid abdomen, examiner taps one side while palpating the other -> wave transmitted across to other hand is positive for ascites

Question 7

Rovsing sign

Answer 7

test for appendicitis, palpate LLQ -> if increases pain in RLQ,
+ Roving, indication of appendicitis

Question 8

Iliopsoas muscle test (Psoas sign)

Answer 8

test for irritated peritoneal lining by moving iliopsoas muscle against resistance

Question 9

McBurney sign

Answer 9

test for appendicitis or other peritoneal inflammation, McBurney Point located in RLQ, low R lumbar area midway btw the umbilicus and the R anterior superior iliac spine, pain with palpation indicates appendicitis or other peritoneal inflammation

Question 10

Obturator muscle test (Obturator sign)

Answer 10

tests for irritation of obturator muscle, pt is supine, ask pt to flex right leg 90 degrees at the knee and hip, grasp leg just above knee and ankle, passively rotate leg laterally -> RLQ pain is positive Obturator Sign

Question 11

Rebound tenderness (Blumberg sign)

Answer 11

tests for appendicitis/peritoneal inflammation, press gently and deeply into abdomen in region remote from focus of pain, rapidly withdraw hand/fingers -> rebound of internal structures causes stabbing pain at irritated site

Question 12

Boborygmi

Answer 12

rumbling/stomach growling, sound of air moving through intestines, listen with diaphragm of stethoscope in all four quadrants, 3-35 bowel sounds should be heard every minute, documented as hypoactive, normoactive, hyperactive, or absent

Question 13

Heel jar test

Answer 13

tests for peritoneal inflammation, pt stands on tiptoes and then drops to heels -> positive if patient has abdominal pain, can also be elicited while pt is supine by striking/jiggling the patient’s heel

Question 14

CVA tenderness

Answer 14

Costovertebral angle tenderness, tests for renal disease, with patient sitting, advise that you are going to tap on their back, place palm over CVA and use heel of closed fist to strike your hand, compare L and R sides for pain

Question 15

Hematochezia

Answer 15

passage of stool containing visible bright red blood. Associated with lower GI bleed. Causes include diverticulosis, colon cancer, and peptic ulcer

Question 16

Constipation

Answer 16

difficulty in having bowel movements because of loss of muscle tone in the intestine, very hard stools, intestinal obstruction.

Question 17

Hematemesis

Answer 17

vomiting of blood, most often caused by bleeding in the esophagus, stomach, upper intestine.

Question 18

Dysphagia

Answer 18

difficulty swallowing

Question 19

Melena

Answer 19

abnormally dark, tarry stool, containing blood, usually from upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Question 20

Globus

Answer 20

sensation is a functional esophageal disorder characterized by a sensation of a lump, retained food bolus, or tightness in the throat that is not due to an underlying structural lesion.

Question 21

Nausea

Answer 21

feeling that one is going to vomit; it occurs in motion sickness, in early pregnancy, at times of extreme stress, and in many illnesses.

Question 22

Flatus

Answer 22

gas in the stomach and or intestines

Question 23

Vomiting

Answer 23

reflex action of ejecting the stomach contents through the mouth

Question 24

Singultus

Answer 24

characteristic sound produced by involuntary spasm of the diaphragm and rapid closure of the glottis as air is breathed in, hiccup.

Question 25

Diarrhea

Answer 25

frequent passage of loose, watery stools. May be a symptom of a viral or bacterial infection, food poisoning, disorder of the colon, etc.

Question 26

Reflux

Answer 26

abnormal backflow, as sometimes occurs with fluids from the stomach into the esophagus

Question 27

Gastroparesis

Answer 27

condition in which normal peristalsis does not function correctly, causing food to remain in the stomach after eating instead of moving forward into the small intestines. Symptoms: bloating, nausea, vomiting.

Question 28

Eruction

Answer 28

belching