Abdominal Assessment

Question 1

What are the 7 Fs?

Answer 1

Causes of abdominal distension
Fat
Fluid
Flatus
Faeces
Fetus
Fatal mass
Fruitcake

Question 2

How does ‘fruitcake’ cause abdominal distension?

Answer 2

Stress can slow down digestion, causing bloating and worsen pre-existing conditions

Question 3

How does ‘fatal’ cause abdominal distension?

Answer 3

Organamegaly

Question 4

How does ‘fluid’ cause abdominal distension?

Answer 4

Por(tal vein)
K(idney failure)
Pan(creatitis)
I(nfection)
C(irrhosis)

Question 5

How does ‘faeces’ cause abdominal distension?

Answer 5

3 main components:
Issue with the faeces (dehydration, low fibre)
Bowel structure (obstructing mass)
Transiting action (opioid use, resisting the urge)

Question 6

What causes ‘flatus’ in abdominal distension?

Answer 6

Introduction: medics pumping air into stomach
Production: bacteria production from infection
Obstruction: volvulus or severe constipation

Question 7

What can cause ‘fluid’ for abdominal distension?

Answer 7

Liver (cirrhosis) and kidney (nephrotic syndrome. Bleeding due to ruptured spleen or aortic aneurysm

Question 8

What is the assessment for an abdominal patient?

Answer 8

Disrupt
(D)istended
(I)inspect/palpate/auscultate
(S)ounds of bowel and scars
(R)igidity
(U)rination
(P)ain - SOCRATES - analgesia and pulsating masses
(T)enderness

Question 9

What is rebound tenderness in abdominal assessments and what does it show?

Answer 9

Pain upon removal of pressure

Removal of pressure in Left lower quarter causing pain in right lower quarter is a sign of a ruptured appendix

Or removal of pressure has an all over pain showing peritonitis