Abdominal Exam

Question 1

Borborygmi

Answer 1

Prolonged gurgle indicative of hunger, gastroenteritis, early bowel obstruction.

Question 2

Tinkles

Answer 2

High pitched sound that suggest fluid and air under pressure.

Question 3

Cullen sign

Answer 3

Bluish color around umbilicus. Indicative of intraperitoneal hemorrhage, pancreatitis, ectopic pregnancy.

Question 4

Ballottement

Answer 4

Method to assess presence and size of mass. Enter at 90 degree angle to abdomen. If freely moveable mass floats to fingertips.

Question 5

Grey Turner sign

Answer 5

Eccymosis of flanks suggest hemoperitoneum or pancreatitis

Question 6

Shifting dullness

Answer 6

Determine border of tympany and dullness in ascites.

Question 7

Murphy sign

Answer 7

Abrupt cessation of inspiration while palpating gallbladder.

Question 8

Fluid wave

Answer 8

Wave transmitted past pt’s hand at midline - positive for ascites

Question 9

Rovsing sign

Answer 9

RLQ pain intensified by LLQ abdominal palpation

Question 10

Psoas sign

Answer 10

Painful RLQ suggests irritated peritoneal lining while flexing psoas muscle

Question 11

McBurney sign

Answer 11

Pain with palpation at RLQ, midway between umbilicus and anterior superior iliac spine. Suggests appendicitis or other peritoneal inflammation.

Question 12

Obturator sign

Answer 12

Testing for irritation due to obturator muscle. Internal/external leg rotation.

Question 13

Blumberg sign

Answer 13

Rebound tenderness. Pain is localized upon quick lifting from palpation to remote area.

Question 14

Heel jar

Answer 14

Pt stands on tip toes, drops to heel. Can strike heels if pt supine.

Question 15

Hematochezia

Answer 15

Passage of fresh, bright red, blood in stool.

Question 16

Constipation

Answer 16

Difficulty in emptying bowels, usually associated with hardened stools

Question 17

Hematemesis

Answer 17

Vomiting blood

Question 18

Dysphagia

Answer 18

Difficulty swallowing

Question 19

Melena

Answer 19

Passage of dark, tarry stools

Question 20

Globus

Answer 20

Persistent intermittent nonpainful sensation of lump or foreign body in throat.

Question 21

Nausea

Answer 21

Feeling of sickness with inclination to vomit

Question 22

Flatus

Answer 22

Gas in or from stomach or intestines

Question 23

Vomiting

Answer 23

Eject matter from stomach through mouth

Question 24

Singultus

Answer 24

Hiccup (diaphragm spasm)

Question 25

Diarrhea

Answer 25

Frequent watery stools

Question 26

Reflux

Answer 26

Backward flow of contents of stomach to esophagus

Question 27

Gastroparesis

Answer 27

Paresis of stomach causing decreased stomach emptying.

Question 28

Eructation

Answer 28

Belch