Exam 2: Abdomen Flashcards
What order do you examin the abdomen?
1) Inspect
2) Ascultate
3)Percuss
4)Palpate
What is Light V. Deep Palpation in an abdominal exam? When do you use each?
While both Light and Deep palpation involve the gentle, clock-wise rotations on the abdomen, Light palpation involves only the use of examiners fingertips with a gentle push only about 1 cm deep. This is often used for gaining an impression of the superficial skin of the abdomen.
Deep Palpation involves the examiner pressing their palm gently about 5-8 cm down in order to asses the size, location, mobility, and even consistency of the abdominal organs.
What are common health concerns regarding the abdomen?
FIND THE ANSWER
What is collected in with subjective data in regards to the abdomen?
With abdominal problems always ask the patient;
S/sx
Location and quality of pain
Quality of appetite/ nutrition
Quality of bowel movements/habits
As well as any medications they are on/have taken
What is a Scaphoid in relation to abdominal inspection?
Scaphoid is the abdomen caving in.
What is a Protuberant Abdomen? What might it indicate?
A Protruberant Abdomen means the abdomen is naturally expanding past the chest and may indicate abdominal distention.
What should you be looking for in an inspection of the abdomen?
An inspection of the abdomen includes;
-Observation for symmetry, as well as masses or bulges such as hernias.
-Any invertion of the imbilicus/midline of abdomen (Scaphoid)
-Skin changes (Such as Stria or scars)
-Any visible pulsations
-Hair Distribution patterns (Male V. Female)
-Patients Demeanor (Are they relaxed, in pain, ect.)
If you notice a pulsation do you deep palpate that area?
NO! DO NOT DEEP PALPATE ANY PULSATIONS. Instead perform a very light palpation and auscultation so that you can define the characteristics and borders of the pulsating area.
What is rebound tenderness and what does it often indicate?
Rebound tenderness occurs when there is no pain upon pressure of an area, but rather pain with the release of the pressure. This often can indicate acute abdominal disorders such as appendicitus.
Differentiate Obesity V. Abdominal Rigidity.
While normal bowel sounds and dull percussion are often displayed in both Obesity and Abdominal Rigidity, they are distinct by traits such as;
Obesity- Is uniformly round with a sunken umbilicus and scattered percussions ranging from tempanic to dull.
Abdominal Rigidity- Displays Dull percussions across the abdomen as well as the reigidity across the abdomen has defined borders.
When Auscultating over teh abdomen what is the order of auscultation as well as any additional sites of auscultation.
Start in the LRQ and go to the LLQ-> LUQ -> RUQ.
Be sure to also listen to the Aorta, L&R renal arteries, L&R iliac arteries, and L&R Femoral arteries for any prescence of Bruits.
What the classifications of Bowel Sounds?
Bowel Sounds can be Normal, Hypoactive, Hyperactive, or absent.
What are normal Bowels sounds?
Normal bowel sounds are high pitched and irregular gurgling or cascading sounds.
Normal range includes 5-30/min
What does percussion screen for in an abdominal exam?
Percussion is typically used for assessing the general density, but can also be used to assess for fluid filled masses.
What tones are normal when percussing the abdomen?
Teh abdomen will sound mostly tympanic upon percussion with some dull sounds occuring over organs such as the liver or a full bladder.
