Abdominal Palpation Flashcards
What are 4 components of abdomen screen?
inspection, percussion, palpation, auscultation
What are some history components that could lead you to think GI issues could be present?
hemoptysis, N/V, change in BM, change in urination, fatty food intolerance, drug use, hx of hepatitis or hernia
What are important features in RUQ?
liver, gallbladder, right kidney and adrenal gland
What are important features in LUQ?
pancreas, spleen, stomach, left kidney and adrenal gland
What are important features in RLQ?
ureter, appendix, bladder
What are important features in LLQ?
sigmoid colon, uterus
What are important things to look for during an inspection?
scars match history, stretch marks, pulse in belly, lesions, rashes, masses or hernias
What are two types of stretch marks?
white/silvery- good ones
purplish- bad could be vascular issue
What do you look for with umbilicus?
is it displaced? off cneter- due to underlying mass
is it discolored?- could be intraabdominal bleeding referred to as Cullen’s sign
What should you hear upon auscultation?
you should hear normal sounds of body doing work, nothing could mean theres a blockage somewhere
What type of vascular sounds should not be heard?
you are listening for murmurs that could be HTN or aneursym
What area are common for vascular involvement?
mid epigastric, RLQ, LLQ and femoral regions
What is indicative of a rubbing noise on auscultation?
indicates possible inflammation possibly due to infection or tumor
What noise should you hear upon percussion?
tympany- spaces of air that is normal
What other sound can you hear upon percussion?
dullness usually over organs
if heard in spots where no organs could be indicative of mass or enlarged organs
