objective 16 Flashcards
extends from the diaphragm to the top of the pelvis
Bordered in the back by the vertebral column and paravertebral
muscles
Bordered at the sides by the lower rib cage and abdominal muscles
abdomen
what do the 4 lrg flat muscles of ventral abdominal wall do?
- Protect the organs
- Hold the organs in place
- Flex the vertebral column
all organs inside the abdominal cavity are called the…
viscera
maintain a characteristic shape
solid viscera
shape depends on the contents
hollow viscera
what does the solid viscera consist of>
liver,
pancreas, spleen, adrenal glands, kidneys, ovaries, uterus
what does the hollow viscera consist of?
stomach,
gallbladder, small intestine, colon, bladder
what are the 4 quadrants of the abdomen?
RUQ
LUQ
RLQ
LLQ
Liver, gallbladder, duodenum, head of the pancreas, right kidney and adrenal
gland, hepatic flexure of the colon, parts of the ascending and transverse colon
RUQ
Stomach, spleen, left lobe of the liver, body of pancreas, left kidney and adrenal
gland, splenic flexure of the colon, parts of the transverse and descending colon
LUQ
Cecum, appendix, right ovary and fallopian tube, right ureter, right spermatic
cord
RLQ
Parts of the descending colon, sigmoid colon, left ovary and fallopian tube, left
spermatic cord
LLQ
what are the developmental considerations for infants and children?
- In newborns, umbilical cord is prominent on the abdomen
- Liver takes up proportionately more space at birth than later in life
- Bladder is located higher in the abdomen in newborns than in adults
- 2 bulges are common: umbilical hernia ( measure if found) and
diastasis recti - Children with gastroenteritis (esp. less than 1 year old) are at
increased risk of dehydration - Maintain a protuberant abdomen when standing until age 4
- Abdominal respirations until age 7
what are the developmental considerations for pregnancy?
- Shape and contour changes
- Morning sickness - Related to hormone changes
(production of HCG - human chorionic gonadotropin) - “Heartburn”
- Constipation
- Enlarging uterus displaces intestines upward and
posteriorly – bowel sounds are diminished
what are the developmental considerations for older adults?
*Fat deposition changes to abdomen
*Muscle tone decreases
*Organs may be easier to palpate than in early adulthood
*Peristalsis may be noted (unless client is obese) – abdominal
musculature is thinner and has less tone
*Salivation decreases – dry mouth and decrease in sense of taste
*Esophageal emptying delayed – increased risk aspiration if
eating in supine position
*Liver size decreases with age (esp. after 80 years old) but most
liver function remains normal
how do we promote abdominal relaxation?
- Client should empty their bladder
- Keep the room warm, warm the stethoscope endpiece,
and warm the examiner’s hands - Position the client supine, head on pillow, knees bent or
on pillow, arms at sides or across chest - Ask about painful areas and assess these last
how do we prep for assessment of the abdomen?
- Strong overhead light and secondary standing light
- Expose abdomen so it is fully visible, drape breasts and genitalia
- Use measures to enhance abdominal relaxation ( p. 587)
what equipment do we need?
- Stethoscope, alcohol wipe, may also need small cm ruler and
marking pen
how do we inspect contour of the abdomen?
- Contour (Describes nutritional state):
- Stand on the client’s right side and look down at the abdomen
- Stoop or sit down to gaze across the abdomen
- Determine the profile from the rib margin to the pubic bone
what are the normal and abnormal findings of inspection of contour of abdomen?
- Normal – flat & rounded
- Abnormal – scaphoid & protuberant
how do we inspect the symmetry of the abdomen?
- Shine a light across the abdomen (toward the examiner) or
lengthwise across the client - Step to the foot of the examination table to recheck symmetry
- Ask client to take a deep breath to further highlight any
change, abdomen should stay smooth and symmetrical - The examiner can also ask the client to sit up without
pushing up with the hands.
what are the normal and abnormal findings of inspecting of symmetry of abdomen?
- Normal: symmetrical bilaterally
- Abnormal: asymmetrical shape – bulges, masses, hernia,
enlarged liver or spleen may be noted
how do we inspect the umbilicus?
Positioning, whether inverted/everted, coloration,
inflammation, & presence of hernia