Gastrointestinal Assessment Flashcards
State normal abdominal contour
Symmetrical and without masses or lumps
What are some health history questions to ask during a gastrointestinal assessment?
Personal history, family history, medications, surgery, recent illness, last bowel movement
How do you inspect for hernias?
Ask the patient to do a sit up and inspect for any bulging
Which quadrant of the abdomen do you begin auscultation at and why?
RLQ because it is where the ileocecal valve is (most noisy)
Do you auscultate clockwise or counter-clockwise?
Clockwise
How many times do you auscultate in each abdominal quadrant?
3
How long do you listen if no bowel sounds present?
5 minutes
What is a normal frequency of bowel sounds per minute?
5-30
What are more than 30 bowel sounds per min called?
Hyperactive
What are less than 5 bowel sounds per min called?
Hypoactive
What are the 4 vascular sounds you auscultate during a gastro exam?
Aorta, renal arteries, iliac arteries and femoral arteries
What is the order to perform a gastro assesment?
Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
What are the 2 normal sounds to hear when percussing on the abdomen?
Tympany and dullness
Where will you hear tympany on the abdomen?
Air filled organs like the intestines
Where will you hear dullness on the abdomen?
Solid organs like the liver
Do you use the diaphragm or bell for auscultating vascular sounds on the abdomen?
Bell
