gi assessment Flashcards
What organs are found in the Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ)?
Liver, gallbladder, duodenum, head of pancreas, right kidney and adrenal gland, part of ascending colon
What organs are found in the Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ)?
Stomach, spleen, left lobe of liver, body of pancreas, left kidney and adrenal gland, part of transverse and descending colon
What organs are found in the Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ)?
Cecum, appendix, right ovary and fallopian tube, right ureter, right spermatic cord
What organs are found in the Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ)?
Part of descending colon, sigmoid colon, left ovary and fallopian tube, left ureter, left spermatic cord
What structures are found in the Midline of the abdomen?
Aorta, uterus (if enlarged), bladder (if distended)
What is the correct GI Tract order from start to finish?
Mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum), large intestine (cecum, colon, rectum, anus)
What region of the abdomen is located above the belly button?
Epigastric
What region of the abdomen is located around the belly button?
Umbilical
What region of the abdomen is located below the belly button?
Hypogastric/Suprapubic
What organs are found in the Epigastric region?
Stomach, parts of liver and pancreas
What organs are found in the Hypogastric/Suprapubic region?
Bladder, reproductive organs
What are the three parts of the small intestine?
Duodenum, jejunum, ileum
What organs are found in the Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ) that could cause pain?
Appendix (common cause of RLQ pain), cecum, right ovary and tube, right ureter
What organs are found in the Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ) that could cause pain?
Sigmoid colon, left ovary and tube, left ureter
What does “viscera” refer to?
All internal organs.
What are considered “solid viscera”?
Liver, pancreas, spleen, adrenal glands, kidneys, ovaries, and uterus; they maintain a characteristic shape.
What are considered “hollow viscera”?
Stomach, gallbladder, small intestine, colon, and bladder; their shape depends on contents.
What is referred pain?
Pain that is felt in a location not directly over the involved organ due to the brain’s inability to map internal organs.
Why does referred pain occur?
Because pain is referred to a site where the organ was located during fetal development, even though the organs have migrated.
What is an example of referred pain?
Radiating pain in the left lower quadrant (LLQ) can indicate appendicitis.
What is an important preparation step for a GI assessment?
Ensure the room is well-lit to enhance visibility during the examination.
Why should the patient have an empty bladder before a GI assessment?
An empty bladder allows for a clearer examination and may be necessary for obtaining a urine specimen.
What should the temperature of the room be for a GI assessment?
The room should be warm to prevent abdominal muscles from tensing up.
How can a patient relax their abdomen during the assessment?
Instruct the patient to scrunch their knees up while lying supine with knees flexed to help relax the abdominal muscles.
What should the examiner ensure about their hands and stethoscope?
Both the hands and stethoscope should be warm to promote comfort and cooperation from the patient during the examination.
What is the standard order of objective GI assessment?
- Inspect
- Auscultate
- Percuss
- Palpate
What demeanor might you observe during the inspection of a patient’s abdomen?
The patient may appear relaxed or agitated.
What are the possible contour shapes of the abdomen during inspection?
Scaphoid (concave/sunken), flat, rounded (slightly rounded), protuberant (bulging/stretched), distended (due to fat, air, gas, ascites, pathology, or stool).
What should you assess for symmetry during the abdominal inspection?
Look for normal aortic pulsations (especially in thin individuals), bulges, and visible masses.
What is the normal appearance of the umbilicus?
It should be midline, inverted, and without discoloration.
What could indicate a problem with the umbilicus during inspection?
Inflammation or hernia may be observed, which is typically harmless.
What skin features should you inspect on the abdomen?
Inspect for lesions, rashes, scars, ostomies, tubes, and drains.
What should you observe about a stoma during the inspection?
The stoma should be pink/red and moist; it should not appear purple or black.
What should you assess in an ostomy bag during inspection?
Assess the color, amount, and consistency of the contents.