abdominal assessment Flashcards
viscera
internal organs of the abdomen
peritoneum lines abdominal wall (______) and covers surface (_______) of most organs
- parietal
- visceral
solid viscera
organs that maintain a solid shape
solid viscera organs
- liver
- pancreas
- spleen
- adrenal glands
- kidneys
- ovaries
- uterus
shape of ______ viscera depends on content
hollow
hollow viscera organs
- stomach
- gallbladder
- small intestine
- colon
- bladder
4 quadrants of abdomen
- right upper quadrant (RUQ)
- left upper quadrant (LUQ)
- right lower quadrant (RLQ)
- left lower quadrant (LLQ)
midline organs
- aorta
- uterus (if enlarged)
- bladder (if distended)
abdominal cavity protected by the _________, _______, and the _______.
- rectus abdominis muscles
- oblique muscles
- linea alba
RUQ organs
- liver
- gallbladder
- duodenum
- head of the pancreas
- R. kidney + adrenal gland
- hepatic flexure of colon
- part of ascending + transverse colon
LUQ organs
- stomach
- spleen
- left lobe of liver
- body of pancreas
- L. kidney + adrenal gland
- splenic flexure of colon
- part of transverse + descending colon
RLQ organs
- cecum
- appendix
- R. ovary + tube
- R. ureter
- R. spermatic cord
LLQ
- part of descending colon
- sigmoid colon
- L. ovary + tube
- L. ureter
- L. spermatic cord
liver is located in what quadrant? where in relation to diaphragm and kidney?
- RUQ
- below diaphragm + above R. kidney
pancreas is located where? the body of the pancreas and head of pancreas is in what quadrant?
- behind the stomach
- body = LUQ
- head = RUQ
spleen is located in what quadrant? where in relation to diaphragm and kidney?
- LUQ
- just below diaphragm + above L. kidney
gallbladder is where and in what quadrant?
- underneath posterior surface of liver
- RUQ
kidneys is _____ to the abdominal contents
retroperitoneal
the left kidney is in what quadrant? between what ribs?
- LUQ
- btw 11th + 12th ribs
the right kidney is in what quadrant? where in relation to left kidney and why?
- RUQ
- 1.5-2 cm lower than L. kidney due to size of liver
L. adrenal gland is located in what quadrant?
LUQ
R. adrenal gland is located in what quadrant?
RUQ
the GI tract is a long tube (_____) w/in the abdomen that runs from the?
- 27 ft
- mouth to the anus
GI tract includes? what occurs in the GI tract?
- esophagus
- stomach
- small intestine
- large intestine (colon)
- digestion
esophagus is a? where is it in relation to trachea? what does it connect?
- 10 in collapsible tube
- posterior to trachea
- connects pharynx to stomach
the stomach is in what quadrant? location in relation to diaphragm?
- LUQ
- below the diaphragm
3 sections of the stomach
- fundus
- body
- pylorus
small intestine begins at the _____ and is approx. 21 ft long. the small intestine connects the ______ to the _____ and is made up of three sections:____, ____, ____.
- pylorus
- stomach
- large intestine
- duodenum
- jejunum
- illeum
large intestine connects the _____ to the _____ and is made up of 4 sections: _____, ____, _____, ____.
- small intestine
- anus
- cecum
- ascending colon
- transverse colon
- descending colon
in aging adult: abdominal wall musculature?
relaxes
changes of the GI system occur w/ aging, but most do not significantly affect ____ as long as no _____ is present.
- function
- disease
salivation ____, leading to?
- decreases
- dry mouth + decreased sense of taste
esophageal emptying + gastric acid secretion are?
delayed
incidence of _____ increases w/ age.
gallstones
although liver size ______, most liver fxns ________; however, drug metabolism is ______.
- decreases
- remain normal
- impaired
aging adults frequently report?
constipation
what standardizes symptoms criteria for fxnal constipation?
ROME III
common causes of constipation found in older adults
- decreased physical activity
- inadequate intake of water
- low-fiber diet
- SE meds
- IBS
- bowel obstruction
- hyperthyroidism
- inadequate toilet facilities (difficulty ambulating to toilet may cause person to deliberately retains tool until it becomes hard + difficult to pass)
lactase
digestive enzyme necessary for absorption of carbohydrate lactose (milk sugar)
ppl who are lactose intolerant have what S/S when milk products are consumed?
- abdominal pain
- bloating
- flatulence
celiac disease
- autoimmune dz
- gluten intolerant
subjective data
- appetite
- dysphagia
- food intol
- abdominal pain
- N/V
- bowel habits
- past and hist
- meds
- nutritional assessment
appetite: ask about?
- changes in appetite (time period + amt)
- changes in wt (loss/gain [amt] + time period)
dysphagia: ask about?
- any difficulty swallowing
- onset + associated symptoms
food intolerance: ask about?
- type of food rxn that occur
- use of Rx/OTC med (amt + freq)
pain associated w/ duodenal ulcers occurs? how can it be relieved?
- 2-3 hrs aft meal
- relieved by eating more food
chronic pain associated w/ gastric ulcers usually occurs?
- empty stomach
N/V: ask about?
- onset, freq, type + amt
- associated S and/or triggers
- recent foods eaten and/or travel habits
bowel habits: ask about?
- freq, color, consistency, D or constipation
- any recent changes
- laxative use: type, amt, freq
black stools
- may be tarry bc occult blood (melena) from upper GI bleed or non-tarry from iron meds
localized bleeding around anus would cause?
bright red blood w/ localized anus bleeding (hemorrhoids)
past abd hist: ask about?
- GI dz/pathology
- GI diagnostic procedues
- GI surgeries + clin response
meds: ask about?
- Rx + OTC
- alc: type, amt, freq
- smoking hist
nutritional assessment: ask about?
dietary history
chronical alcohol use has been attributed to the development of _____. This is in part due to the __________________________.
- malnutrition
- inhibitory effect of ethanol on the absorption of vital nutrients (glucose, amino acids, lipids, H2O, vitamins, minerals) w/in the small intestine
primary malnutrition?
alcohol displaces food
secondary malnutrition?
alcohol interferes w/ digestion + absorption of nutrients
wernicke-korsakoff syndrome?
- thiamin deficiency
- memory disorder
- require immediate tx
- most often happens in ppl w/ alc use dz + malnutrition
what vitamins and other nutrients cannot be absorbed in the small intestine due to the inhibitory effect of ethanol?
- vit. B1 (thiamine)
- vit. B2 (riboflavin)
- vit. B9 (folate)
- vit. C (ascorbic acid)
- selenium
- iron
- zinc
additional history of aging adults: ask about?
- access to groceries + food prep
- shared meals/eat alone
- 24 hr dietary recall
- swallowing/feeding difficulties
- activities done following mealtimes
- bowel health: freq, constipation, fiber in diet, use of laxatives
- meds: Rx + OTC
preparation of assessment (objective data)
- adequate light, expose abdomen so fully visible
- drape genitalia + female breasts
- position for comfort to enhance abdominal wall relaxation
- AUSCULTATE PRIOR TO PALPATION + PERCUSSION
how to position for comfort to enhance abdominal wall relaxation
- empty bladder prior to exam w/ specimen saved if needed
- warm stethoscope + examine areas identified as painful last to prevent guarding
equipment for abdominal assessment
- stethoscope
- small cm ruler
- skin-marking pen
- alc wipe to clean endpiece
inspection of abdomen
- surface structures
- skin color + characteristics
- venous return
- lesions + scars
- tautness + striae
dilated veins on the surface of the skin indicated? what is the indication found in?
- portal HTN
- liver cirrhosis or vena cava obstruction
caput medusa
distended/engorged superficial epigastric veins around umbilicius
why does caput medusa occur?
increased pressure in the portal system from portal HTN -> affects collateral flow btw portal + systemic systems
striae (_____) are ____ and usually not _____. often associated w/ wt ______ or -_____.
- stretch marks
- common
- pathological
- gain
- pregnancy
an exorbitant amt of striae may be associated with certain diseases that have _______, such as _______.
- abnormal collagen production
- Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
inspection of the abdomen includes?
- contour
- symmetry
- umbilicus
- skin
inspection: contour
- abdominal profile from rib margin to pubis
- describes nutritional state + norm ranges from flat to rounded
inspection: symmetry
abdomen should be symmetric bilaterally (w/ pt first seated, then standing)
inspection: umbilicus
- norm midline + inverted
- no sign of discoloration, inflammation, or hernia
inspection: skin
- surface smooth + even
- homogeneous color
- assess skin turgor
- inspect for pigment change + presence of lesions or scars
scaphoid contour
scaphoid abdomen caves inward
rounded/convex contour
obese abdomen appears uniformly rounded w/ sunken umbilicus
protuberant contour
protuberant abdomen is rounded, bulging, and stretched
hernia
protrusion of the abdominal viscera through an abdominal opening in the abdominal muscle wall
inspection: pulsation/movement NORM
- see pulsations from aorta beneath skin in epigastric area
- see particularly in thin persons w/ good muscle wall relaxation
pulsations of the renal arteries are/are not visable?
ARE NOT
the vena cava is a ? with/with no pulsation?
- vein, not an artery
- WITH NO
waves of peristalsis are sometimes visible in ______ and appear as a ?
- very thin people
- slow ripple moving obliquely across the abdomen
inspection: hair distribution
pattern of pubic growth norm has diamond shape in adult males and inverted triangle shape in adult females
inspection: demeanor
a comfortable person relaxed quietly on examining table + has a benign facial expression + slow, even respiration
four steps to performing a visual inspection of the abdomen
(1) examine the contour of the abdominal wall
(2) notice any skin changes
(3) inspect for visible masses
(4) observe for motion w/ respiration
visual inspection of the abdomen: (1) examine the contour of the abd wall
- distension
- masses
- bulging at the flanks
visual inspection of the abdomen: (2) notice any skin changes
- discoloration
- sinus or fistula
- striae
- dilated veins
- scars
- stoma
visual inspection of the abdomen: (3) inspect for visible masses
- changes w/ Valsalva maneuver
- presence of Fothergill’s sign
Valsalva maneuver
- pt tense up abdominal wall + bear down OR perform partial sit-up by lifting their head & feet up off the table
- abdominal wall mass usually become more prominent
- intraabdominal mass become less prominent
abdominal wall masses usually present as ___ and are commonly ____ (a defect/weakness in the abdominal wall). can be ____, ____, ____, or _____. can be associated w/ ____ and sometimes ______ over the bulge if the ___ is incarcerated or strangulated.
- bulges
- hernias
- umbilical, epigastric, incisional, spigelian (lateral hernia btw rectus + lateral oblique muscles)
- pain, skin discoloration
- hernia
Fothergill’s sign
rectus sheath hematoma also presents as an abdominal wall mass
(+) Fothergill’s sign
- flexion of the rectus muscles does not cause the mass to change/cross the midline
- mass may be a rectus sheath hematoma
(-) Fothergill’s sign
- mass changes w/ flexion + becomes more prominent (hernia)
intraabdominal masses can also be caused by?
- tumors
- malignancies
- organomegaly
visual inspection of the abdomen: (4) observe for motion w/ respiration
- rigidity
- fluid waves
auscultation is done after inspection because?
percussion + palpation can increase peristalsis, which would give a false interpretation of bowel sounds
use a _____ endpiece for auscultation because?
- diaphragm
- bowel sounds are relatively high pitched
auscultation: begin in ____ at _____ are because?
- RLQ
- ileocecal valve
- bowel sounds are norm always present here
bowel sounds originate from?
air + fluid movement thru the small intestine
bowel sounds are?
- high-pitched, gurgling, cascading sounds
- occur irregularly anywhere from 5-30 times per min
abnorm hypoactive bowel sound
decreased, can follow abdominal surgery or w/ inflammation
abnorm hyperactive bowel sound
loud, high-pitched signal increased motility
borborygmus
sound of hyperperistalsis
diminished/absent bowel sounds signal _____ GI motility, which is caused by?
- decreased
- inflammation from peritonitis, a paralytic ileus aft abdomen surgery, or bowel obstruction
what can cause hyperactive bowel sounds?
- diarrhea
- laxative use
- gastroenteritis
absent bowel sounds are _____. the nurse must listen for ______ before deciding bowel sounds are completely absent.
- rare
- 5 mins
____ percentage of healthy people may have a bruit.
small
what kind of bruits are there?
- abdominal
- aortic
- renal
- iliac
- femoral
most _________ are palpable during routine exam and feel like a pulsating mass.
aortic aneurysms
a ___ will be audible, and _____ pulses present, but decreased.
- bruit
- femoral
aortic aneurysms are located?
upper abdomen just to the left of the midline
using ____ pressure, check over _______, esp in ppl w/ HTN
- firmer
- aorta
- renal arteries
- iliac
- femoral arteries
do not use auscultation for?
initial placement of NG tube insertion
where to auscultate for abdominal vascular sounds/bruits?
(1) aorta (costal angle)
(2) renal (2-3 cm superior + lateral to umbilicus)
(3) iliac (below umbilicus)
percuss general _______ & _____, and ________
- tympany
- liver
- splenic dullness
percuss lightly in all _____ to determine ______ and ______ in clockwise manner
- 4 quadrants
- prevailing amt of tympany
- dullness
indirect _____ percussion causes tissues to _____ instead of producing a sound.
- fist
- vibrate
to assess kidney, place one hand over _______ at _____ on back. thump that hand w/ ____ of your other fist
- 12th rib
- costovertebral angle
- ulnar edge
percussing costovertebral angle tenderness: a person normally feels?
- thud, but no pain
positive finding when percussing costovertebral angle tenderness indicates?
inflammation of the kidney
begin w/ ____ palpation then proceed to ___ palpation
- light
- deep
palpation: judge __________ of certain organs and screen for ______?
- size, location, and consistency
- abnormal mass or tenderness
most people are naturally inclined to ______, need to use additional measures to _______.
- protect abdomen
- enhance complete muscle relaxation
light + deep palpation: note?
- location, size, consistency, mobility of any palpable organs
- presence of any abnorm enlargement, tenderness, or masses
_______ tenderness is norm present when palpating sigmoid colon. what about tenderness anywhere else?
- mild
- any other tenderness should be investigated
if you identify a mass though palpation, first?
distinguish it from a normally palpable structure or an enlarged organ
beginning w/ ___ palpation, depress the abdomen in each qradrant approx ______ in depth using ________.
- light
- 1 cm
- gentle, circular motion
if the pt is experiencing any abdominal pain, you should do what with that area?
palpate that area last
being palpating in what quadrant?
right lower quadrant + move clockwise
during light palpation, assessing for any ____ close to the abdominal surface like ______ and the qualities of the underlying structures.
- abnormalities
- hernias
proceed w/ ___ palpation by compressing the abdomen about __________ using the same ______ hand motion.
- deep
- 4-5 cm
- circular
a potential abnorm finding is abdominal mass which can indicate?
constipation or even malignancy
percussion abnorm: ____ predominant
dullness
percussion abnorm: liver
- lower liver border > 2-3 cm below costal margin
- upper liver border above 5th or below 7th ICS
- liver span < 6 cm or >12 cm
percussion abnorm: spleen
- large area of dullness (not associated w/ full stomach)
- tone change from tympany to dullness w/ inspiration
percussion abnorm: stomach
dullness
a palpable gallbladder or spleen is a?
abnormal palpation finding
palpation abnormalities
- muscular tension/resistance
- tenderness
- masses/bulges
- nodules
if resistance is present, feel for ____ of the abdominal muscles w/ a pillow beneath pt’s knees. continued tension indicates?
- relaxation
- involuntary response to localized/generalized rigidity
abnorm palpation: umbilical ring + umbilicus
- bulges, nodules, granulation
- protruding umbilicus
abnorm palpation: liver + gallbladder
- tenderness
- nodules
- irregularity
- palpable gallbladder w/ pain + tenderness
abnorm palpation: spleen
palpable spleen
abnorm palpation: kidneys + bladder
- tenderness
- bladder palpable when not distended w/ urine
abnorm palpation: aorta
- prominent lateral pulsation (aortic aneurysm)
what to note when identify a mass
- location
- size
- shape
- consistency: soft, hard, firm
- surface: smooth, nodular
- mobility (movement w/ respirations)
- pulsatility
- tenderness
how to palpate liver (left hand)
place your left hand under a person’s back parallel to 11th + 12th ribs and lift to support abdominal contents
how to palpate liver (right hand)
- place right hand on RUQ, fingers parallel to midline
- push deeply down + under R. costal margin
- ask person take deep breath (norm to feel edge of liver bump fingertips as diaphragm pushes it down during inhalation)
- liver feels like firm regular ridge: liver usually not palpable
alternative method to palpating liver
hooking technique
normally, spleen is _______ and must be enlarged ______ its normal size to be felt.
- not palpable
- 3x
the spleen is located within the ________ and is well protected under the _________. its long axis is roughly parallel to the _____.
- intraperitoneal space
- left costal margin
- 10th rib
to search for the spleen….
reach left hand over abdomen and behind left side at the 11th + 12th ribs
spleen palpation: lift up for support: place your ______ hand obliquely on ____ w/ fingers pointing toward left _____ and just inferior to _____ margin.
- right
- LUQ
- axilla
- rib
a pathologically enlarged spleen is palpated?
under the left costal margin during inspiration as the inferior edge descends to the examiner’s fingertips
if an enlarged spleen is suspected?
- palpation should begin further down
- examination may be facilitated by gently lifting pt’s left flank ventrally
enlargement of the spleen is seen w/
- mononucleosis
- leukemia and lymphomas
- portal HTN
- HIV infection
an alternative position to palpate the spleen is?
roll a person onto his/her right side to displace spleen more forward + downward
if the spleen is palpable…
do not continue to palpate as it is friable and can rupture
the kidneys are a _______ structure, protected by both ______ and _____ of the back.
- retro-peritoneal
- ribs
- musculature
kidney palpation: pt must take ________ before examination
deep breath
right kidney palpation
- feel no change or feel smooth muscle mass
- either is norm
left kidney palpation
- feel no change w/ inhalation
- not normally palpable
- 1.5 - 2.0 cm higher than right kidney
percussion of the _____ in the ________ can help discern pathological processes involving the kidneys, such as _______ or _______.
- flanks
- lower rib cage
- pyelonephritis
- urolithiasis
palpation of the aorta
- using the opposing thumb + fingers, palpate aortic pulsation in upper abdomen slightly to left of midline
- norm 2.5-4 cm wide in adult + pulsates in an anterior direction
widened pulse during palpation of the aorta is?
abdominal aortic aneurysm
percussion notes norm heard during the abdominal assessment may include?
- tympany
- should predominate bc air in the intestines rises to surface when person is supine
hyperresonance may be present w/?
gaseous distention
dullness may be found over a?
- distended bladder
- adipose tissue
- fluid
- mass
may suspect that a person has ascites (which is?) because of?
- free fluid in the peritoneal cavity
- distended abdomen
- bulging flanks
- umbilicus that is protruding and displaced downward
can differentiate ascites from gaseous distention by performing?
- fluid wave test
- shifting dullness test
first test for a fluid wave by standing on the person’s?
right side
fluid wave test: place the _____ of another examiner’s hand or pt’s own hand firmly on the ___________. this stops __________>
- ulnar edge
- abdomen in the midline
- transmission across the skin of the upcoming tap
fluid wave: place your left hand on the person’s ______. with your right hand, reach across the abdomen and give the left flank ______.
- right flank
- firm strike
fluid wave: if ascites is present, the blow will generate?
- a fluid wave through the abdomen
- will feel a distinct tap on your left hand
fluid wave: if the abdomen is distended from gas/adipose tissue?
no change
shifting dullness test: in a supine person, ascitic fluid settles by ____________, displacing the ___________.
- gravity into the flanks
- air-filled bowel to the periumbilical space
shifting dullness is a sign elicited on physical examination for?
ascites (fluid in the peritoneal cavity).
percussion shifts from ____ to ______ after the pt changes from _____ to _______ position.
- dull
- tympanic
- supine
- lateral decubitus
murphy’s sign
inspiratory arrest for cholecystitis (inflammation of gallbladder)
murphy’s sign test
abrupt interruption of deep inspiration by palpation of the gallbladder area
Blumberg’s sign
- rebound tenderness
- pain upon removing pressure rather than applying pressure to the abdomen
- indicative of peritonitis
McBurney’s sign
- appendicitis test
- deep tenderness at McBurney’s point
- sign of acute appendicitis
Rovsing sign
- appendicitis test
- RLQ pain w/ palpation of LLQ
- suggests peritoneal irritation in the RLQ precipitated by palpation at a remote location
Obturator sign
- appendicitis test
- performed by flexing pt’s right thigh at hep w/ knee flexed + rotating internally
- increased pain at RLQ (appendicitis)
Psoas sign
- appendicitis test
- RLQ pain w/ extension of right hip or w/ flexion of right hip against resistance
- inflamed appendix located along course of right psoas muscle
when the pt lies supine + attempts to flex their hip against resistance, place hand on their ______ and ask them to ______. if they have pain in _______, (+) Psoas sign.
- thigh
- lift their leg
- RLQ
guarding
pt involuntarily tenses their abdominal muscles when palpated
aging adult: on inspection, may note ____ deposits of _____ on abdomen + hips bc it is redistributed away from _______.
- increased
- subcutaneous fat
- extremities
aging adult: abdominal musculature is _____ and has ____ tone than that of younger adult, so in absence of ______. may note ______.
- thinner
- less
- obsesity
- peristalsis
aging adult: bc of ___, ____ abdominal wall, organs may be ____ to palpate, in the absence of ______.
- thinner
- softer
- easier
- obesity
aging adult: ____ and ____ are easier to palpate
- liver
- kidneys
aging adult: w/ ___ lungs + ____ diaphragm, liver can be palpated ____, ______ below costal margin w/ inhalation.
- distended
- depressed
- lower
- descending 1-2 cm
abnormal findings: abdominal distention
- obesity
- air/gas
- ascites
- ovarian cyst
- pregnancy
- feces
- tumor
common sites of referred abdominal pain: liver
RUQ
common sites of referred abdominal pain: esophagus
behind lower sternum
common sites of referred abdominal pain: ulcer
shoulder
common sites of referred abdominal pain: gallbladder
RUQ
common sites of referred abdominal pain: cholecystitis referred pain
- upper right abdominal pain radiating to right shoulder/back
- pain aft eating fatty meal
common sites of referred abdominal pain: appendix
RLQ
common sites of referred abdominal pain: pancreas
midscapular
common sites of referred abdominal pain: kidney
flank pain
common sites of referred abdominal pain: small intestine
diffuse
common sites of referred abdominal pain: colon
colicky pain + bloating
abnormal findings upon inspection
- umbilical hernia
- epigastric hernia
- incisional hernia
- diastasis recti
abnormal bowel sounds
- succussion splash
- marked peristalsis
- hypoactive bowel sounds
- hyperactive bowel sounds
succussion splash
- heard on percussion
- auscultation of the abdomen due to excessive fluid or gas in the stomach
abnormal findings: friction rubs + vascular sounds
- peritoneal friction rub
- arterial bruit
- venous hum
venous hum
- epigastric/umbilical area
- soft humming noises w/ both systolic/diastolic component
- indicates increased collateral circulation btw portal + venous systems as in hepatic cirrhosis
abnormal findings on palpation of enlarged organs
- liver
- nodular liver
- gallbladder
- spleen
- kidney
- aortic aneurysm