Abdominal assessment

Question 1

How can you increase the accuracy of palpation with a patient with severe abdominal pain?

Answer 1

Ask them to bend the legs at the hip and exhale before each palpation to help them relax and give you a more accurate result

Question 2

What can palmar errythema be a sign of?

Answer 2

Chronic liver failure
Pregnancy

Question 3

What can asterixis be a sign of?

Answer 3

Metabolic enceohalopathy
-Liver disease (Hepatic)
-Kidney disease (Uremic)
-CO2 retention

Electrolyte disturbances
Medication side effects
Brain lesions

Question 4

What can pruritus (itching) be caused by internally?

Answer 4

Liver disease
Kidney disease
Anemia
Diabetes
Thyroid problems
Certain cancers.

Question 5

What is angular stomatitis and what can it signify?

Answer 5

Inflamation at corner of mouth - Iron deficiency

Question 6

What can a glossy tongue signify?

Answer 6

B12 and/or iron deficiency

Question 7

What can a white layer over the tongue signify?

Answer 7

Fungal infection

Question 8

What can an inflamed Virchow’s node signify?

Answer 8

It is one of first signs of metastatic abdominal malignancy

Question 9

Where is Virchow’s node found?

Answer 9

Left supra-clavicular fossa

Question 10

What are you looking for during abdominal inspection?

Answer 10

Distension
– 6 F’s: Fluid, Fetus, Flatulence, Faeces, Fat, Fulminant mass
Pulsating mass
Scars
Stoma
Hernias
Striae (Stretch marks)
Bruising
-Cullen’s and Grey Turner’s
Abnormal vasculature
-Spider naevi, caput medusae

Question 11

What are the four Ts of HHS/DKA?

Answer 11

Tummy (pain)
Toilet (Freq./Urg.)
Thirsty
Tired