Assessing the Abdomen Flashcards
inspection of the abdomen
- coloration
- vascularity
- striae
- scars
- lesions and rashes
- umbilicus
- location of umbilicus
- contour of umbilicus
- contour
- symmetry
- respiratory movements
- aortic pulsations
- peristaltic waves
normal findings of coloration of skin
skin may be paler than the general skin tone because this skin is so seldom exposed to the natural elements.
abnormal findings of coloration
- Purple discoloration at the flanks (Grey–Turner sign) indicates bleeding within the abdominal wall, possibly from trauma to the kidneys, pancreas, or duodenum or from pancreatitis.
- The yellow hue of jaundice may be more apparent on the abdomen.
- Pale, taut skin may be seen with ascites (significant abdominal swelling indicating fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity).
- Redness may indicate inflammation.
- Bruises or areas of local discoloration
normals findings of vascularity of abdominal skin
-scattered veins may be visible
abnormal findings of vascularity of abdominal skin
- dilated veins, can indicate cirrhosis of liver, obstruction of inferior vena cava, portal hypertension, or ascites
- dilated surface arterioles and capillaries with a spider angioma, may indicate liver disease or portal hypertension
normal findings of striae
- pink or bluish (new)
- silvery, white, linear, uneven (old, past pregnancies or weight gain)
abnormal findings of striae
- dark bluish-pink, Cushing syndrome
- result of ascites, resulting from liver failure or disease
normal findings of scars
pale, smooth, minimally raised
abnormal findings of scars
- non-healing wounds
- redness
- inflammation
- deep, irregular scars from burns
normal findings of umbilicus
tone is similar to surrounding skin or even pinkish
abnormal findings of umbilicus
- Cullen sign: bluish or purple discoloration around umbilicus, indicates intra-abdominal bleeding
- grey-turner sign: bluish or purplish discoloration on the abdominal flanks
normal findings of umbilical location
midline at lateral line
abnormal findings of umbilical location
-deviated, can be caused from pressure from a mass, enlarged organs, fluid, hernia, or scar tissue
normal findings of umbilical contour
- recessed (inverted), protruding no more than 0.5 cm
- round or conical
abnormal findings of umbilical contour
- everted, seen with abdominal distention
- enlarged and everted suggests umbilical hernia
normal findings of abdominal contour
-flat, evenly rounded, or scaphoid (normal in thin adults)
abnormal findings of abdominal contour
- protuberant or distended abdomen, due to obesity, air (gas), or fluid accumulation
- distention below the bladder, due to full bladder, uterine enlargement, or ovarian tumor or cyst
- distention of upper abdomen seen with masses of the pancreas or gastric dilation
- scaphoid, seen with severe weight loss or cachexia (wasting of the body) related to starvation or terminal illness
major causes of abdominal distention
- fat
- feces
- fetus
- fibroids
- flatulence
- fluid
how to inspect abdominal contour
sit at the patient’s side and look slightly higher than the patient’s abdomen inspecting the area between the lower ribs and pubic bone
normal findings of abdominal symmetry
-symmetrical
abnormal findings of abdominal symmetry
-asymmetrical, seen with organ enlargement, large masses, hernia, diastasis recti, or bowel obstruction
abnormal findings of respiratory movement
diminished or change to thoracic breathing in males, may reflect peritoneal irritation
normal findings of aortic pulsations
- slight pulsation visible in the epigastrium
- extends full length in thin people
abnormal findings of aortic pulsation
-vigorous, wide, exaggerated, may be seen with abdominal aortic aneurysm