Abdominal Assessment

Question 1

Cecum

Answer 1

a pouch connected to the junction of the small and large intestines

Question 2

Distension

Answer 2

the act of distending or the state of being distended especially unduly or abnormally

Question 3

Peritonitis

Answer 3

inflammation of the peritoneum, typically caused by bacterial infection either via the blood or after rupture of an abdominal organ

Question 4

Cholecystitis

Answer 4

inflammation of the gallbladder

Question 5

Paralytic Ileus

Answer 5

the occurrence of intestinal blockage in the absence of an actual physical obstruction. This type of blockage is caused by a malfunction in the nerves and muscles in the intestine that impairs digestive movement

Question 6

Hernia

Answer 6

a condition in which part of an organ is displaced and protrudes through the wall of the cavity containing it (often involving the intestine at a weak point in the abdominal wall)

Question 7

Hepatomegaly

Answer 7

abnormal enlargement of the liver

Question 8

Splenomegaly

Answer 8

abnormal enlargement of the spleen

Question 9

Guarding

Answer 9

tensing of the abdominal wall muscles to guard inflamed organs within the abdomen from the pain of pressure upon them

Question 10

Pyloric Stenosis

Answer 10

stomach. is narrowing (stenosis) of the opening from the stomach to the first part of the small intestine known as the duodenum, due to enlargement (hypertrophy) of the muscle surrounding this opening (the pylorus, meaning “gate”), which spasms when the stomach empties. This condition causes severe projectile non-bilious vomiting. It most often occurs in the first few months of life, when it may thus be more specifically labeled as infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. The pyloric hypertrophy is felt classically as an olive-shaped mass in the middle upper part or right upper quadrant of the infant’s abdomen. Pyloric stenosis also occurs in adults, where the cause is usually a narrowed pylorus due to scarring from chronic peptic ulceration.

Question 11

Pyrosis

Answer 11

heartburn

Question 12

Rebound Tenderness

Answer 12

is a clinical sign that a doctor or other health care provider may detect in physical examination of a patient’s abdomen. It refers to pain upon removal of pressure rather than application of pressure to the abdomen. (The latter is referred to simply as abdominal tenderness.)

Question 13

Faltulence

Answer 13

the accumulation of gas in the alimentary canal.

Question 14

Ascites

Answer 14

the accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, causing abdominal swelling.

Question 15

Borborygmi

Answer 15

a rumbling or gurgling noise made by the movement of fluid and gas in the intestines

Question 16

Viscera

Answer 16

the internal organs in the main cavities of the body, especially those in the abdomen, e.g., the intestines.