abdominal assessment

Question 1

dysphagia

Answer 1

difficulty swallowing

Question 2

hematemesis

Answer 2

blood in vomit

Question 3

anorexia

Answer 3

loss or lack of appetite

Question 4

odynophagia

Answer 4

pain with swallowing

Question 5

review of systems questions

Answer 5

last menstrual period and last bowel movement, organ specific questions

Question 6

liver and gall bladder specific ROS questions

Answer 6

jaundice, grey or mustard colored stools, heavy alcohol intake

Question 7

spleen specific ROS questions

Answer 7

any recent impact to abdomen

Question 8

kidneys specific ROS questions

Answer 8

flank pain

Question 9

uterus and ovaries specific ROS questions

Answer 9

last menstrual period, change in cycle

Question 10

stomach, pancreas, and intestines specific ROS questions

Answer 10

GI symptoms

Question 11

bowel function questions

Answer 11

diarrhea, constipation, character, pattern, diet, routine medications

Question 12

jaundice

Answer 12

liver and gall bladder, color of stools and urine, sclerae assessment

Question 13

hepatitis

Answer 13

A (fecal), B (blood/body fluids), C (blood)

Question 14

objective assessment/preparation

Answer 14

offer privacy, bend patient’s knees, order of assessment changes, examine painful areas LAST

Question 15

what should you inspect for in the abdomen?

Answer 15

contour, symmetry, skin characteristics, umbilicus, abnormal movements

Question 16

expected findings of INSPECTION of abdomen

Answer 16

• flat, round, obese
• symmetrical contour
• even pigmentation, faintly visible vessels
• umbilicus midline and inverted
• faint epigastric pulsations in thin people

Question 17

unexpected findings of INSPECTION of abdomen

Answer 17

asymmetrical contour, skin discoloration, everted umbilicus, visible movements

Question 18

turner’s sign

Answer 18

bruising along the flank

Question 19

cullen’s sign

Answer 19

core bruising

Question 20

what to auscultate for on the abdomen

Answer 20

bruits and bowel sounds

Question 21

frequency of bowel sounds

Answer 21

normoactive, hypoactive, hyperactive, absence

Question 22

normoactive frequency

Answer 22

5-30 seconds apart

Question 23

hypoactive frequency

Answer 23

60 seconds apart

Question 24

hyperactive frequency

Answer 24

3 seconds apart

Question 25

absent frequency

Answer 25

no sounds after 5 minutes

Question 26

expected findings of bowel sounds

Answer 26

active and no bruits

Question 27

unexpected findings of bowel sounds

Answer 27

hypoactive sounds, hyperactive sounds, absent bowel sounds, bruits

Question 28

palpation of abdomen

Answer 28

always performed last, painful areas last

Question 29

CVA tenderness

Answer 29

tapping kidneys to see if they are inflamed

Question 30

appendicitis signs

Answer 30

rebound tenderness, inspiratory arrest, McBurney’s point tenderness, Iliopsoas muscle test, obturator test

Question 31

common sites of referred abdominal pain
(liver, esophagus, ulcer, gallbladder, appendix, pancreas, kidney, small intestine, colon)

Answer 31

RUQ, behind sternum, shoulder, RUQ, RLQ, midscapular line. flank, radiating, colicky/bloating

Question 32

how to assess for distended bladder

Answer 32

inspect, palpate, percuss

Question 33

common diagnostic studies for abdomen

Answer 33

AST, ALT, amylase and lipase, CT scan, MRI, ultrasound, occult fecal blood test

Question 34

red flag findings

Answer 34

severe abdominal pain with instant relief, bloody stools or emesis, abdominal rigidity, inability to retain fluids to replace losses, mass in abdominal wall

Question 35

RLQ organs

Answer 35

appendix and ascending colon

Question 36

RUP organs

Answer 36

liver and gallbladder

Question 37

LUQ organs

Answer 37

stomach, spleen, and pancreas

Question 38

LLQ organs

Answer 38

sigmoid colon