Assessing the Abdomen Flashcards
in what quadrant is the stomach located in?
Left upper quadrant
in what quadrant is the gallbladder located in
Right upper quadrant
In what quadrant is the appendix located in?
Right lower quadrant
In what quadrant is the ascending colon in?
Right lower quadrant
in what quadrant is the descending and sigmoid colon in
Left lower quadrant
in what quadrant is the pancreas in
Left upper quadrant
In what quadrant is the spleen in
Left upper quadrant
what major structures are located on the midline
Bladder, uterus, prostate gland
what is the purpose of the abdominal muscles
to protect internal organs, allowed normal compression to organs during functional activities
What is parietal peritoneum?
Serous membrane that lines the abdominal cavity
what is visceral peritoneum?
Protective covering for most internal organs
what organs are solid viscera?
The liver, pancreas, spleen, adrenal glands, kidneys, ovaries, uterus
what organs are hollow viscera?
Stomach, gallbladder, small intestine, bladder
what are keloids
Excessive scar tissue resulting from trauma or surgery. More common in African-Americans and Asians.
what is important to do before assessing the abdomen for objective data
Have patient empty the bladder, put on gown
What is an indicator of cholecystitis?
Pain or tenderness in the right upper quadrant
What is an indicator for appendicitis?
Psoas sign and obturator sign
What is Psoas sign?
pain in right lower quadrant when leg is hyper extended.
What is obturator sign?
Pain in right lower quadrant when hip/knee or flexed/leg is rotated
what is rousing sign?
Pain in right lower quadrant when pressure on left lower quadrant
What is Blumberg sign?
pain or tenderness, one tests for rebound tenderness by palpating deeply at 90° into abdomen between umbilicus and anterior iliac crest
what is Murphy’s sign? And what is it used to test for?
Pain when pressure applied under liver border of right costal margin, and patient inhales deeply. Used to test for cholecystitis.
What is peptic ulcer disease?
An open sore that forms in the lining of the esophagus, stomach, or small intestine that can be painful and bleed
what are the symptoms of peptic ulcer disease?
Although there is a wide variety, patients usually feel burning sensation, chest pain, fatigue, weight loss, black and tarry stools, vomiting. Symptoms get worse on an empty stomach.
what is medication treatment for peptic ulcer disease?
NSAIDS, steroids, anticoagulants, low-dose, aspirin, SSRIs, alendronate, risedronate
what are other control the factors for treating peptic ulcer disease?
Avoid stress, avoid alcohol
What are noncontrollable factors of peptic ulcer disease?
presence of H. pylori and G.I. tract, genetics, radiation treatments, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
What is Zollinger Ellison syndrome?
Rare tumor in the pancreas
what is gastroesophageal reflux disease?
Stomach or gastric acid flow back into esophagus which overtime causes irritation, and can erode tissue leading to scarring and narrowing of esophagus, Barrett esophagus, or cancer
what are symptoms of GERD
Hoarseness, laryngitis, chronic dry, cough, asthma, lump in throat, feeling sudden increase in saliva, halitosis, your aches, and sudden chest pain/discomfort
what are risk factors of GERD?
Obesity, genetics, pregnancy, diabetes, asthma, eating large meals, spicy/fried foods and some medications
what medication can cause gastroesophageal reflux disease?
aspirin, pain medication, antidepressants, asthma meds, hypertension meds
what is ascites?
Excessive abdominal fluid
what is the best position for a patient to assess their abdomen?
Lying supine on the exam table with their head on a pillow and knees slightly bent to help their muscles relax.
what are some visual unexpected findings when assessing the abdomen?
-A yellow hue skin color
-glistening or taught skin
-purple or pink striae
-Dilated veins
what can be glistening or taut skin be attributed to in the abdomen?
Fluid buildup in the abdomen, or ascitis
what can dilated veins in the abdomen mean?
Presence of liver disease
What is cholecystitis?
inflammation of the gallbladder 
where are the kidneys located?
under the lower ribs in the back
what is flank pain and what can it be due to?
kidney pain, holding for urine too long/trauma/muscularskeletal back pain not associated with kidneys
when should someone see a dr for flank pain?
immediately is blood is passed in urine, pain is sudden/severe, or fever/chills develop
make an appt if one side pain becomes constant or worse, experience body aches, or recently had a UTI
What does the pancreas do?
Makes insulin
What is jaundice?
Buildup of ammonia
What are ways to test for appendicitis?
sore abdomen, diaphragm will hurt, very low O2
