abdominal assesments Flashcards
what does the abdomen cover
from the diaphragm down to the pelvis
what are the organs in the abdominal region
spleen liver pancreas kidneys stomach gallbladder duodenum large intestine small intestine bladder
what sort of questions can use ask regarding gastrointestinal
Trouble swallowing • Heartburn • Appetite changes • Nausea • Abdominal pain? • Food intolerance • Excessive belching or passing of gas • Bowel movements: stool colour and size, change in bowel habits, pain with defecation, rectal bleeding or black or tarry stools, haemorrhoids, constipation, diarrhoea. • Jaundice: liver or gallbladder trouble • Hepatitis • Urinary: Frequency of urination
what is diverticulitis
• Inflammation of diverticula secondary to infection.
The diverticula then trap small amounts of faecal material, especially undigested seeds, etc,
the trapped faeces can allow bacteria to grow and result in infection.
how does diverticulitis present it self
– most common presentation is colicky pain associated with low grade fever,
nausea and vomiting, and tenderness upon palpation
what causes a gi obstruction
Blockages of the hollow space, or lumen, within the small and large intestines. Bowel
obstruction is either due to a mechanical blockage or due to other factors that affect the muscular wall of the bowel or
the nerve supply to the bowel which would affect its ability to perform peristalsis.
The end result of either cause is the food gets stuck and then the problems start
what is kidney stones
• Calculi form in the kidneys and bladder which forms from oxalates, phosphates, urates and uric acid
