PE of abdomen

Question 1

Suggest portal hypertension from

cirrhosis (caput medusa) or inferior vena cava obstruction.

Answer 1

dilated veins

Question 2

Seen in intraperitoneal or

retroperitoneal hemorrhages

Answer 2

rashes or ecchymoses

Question 3

bluish discoloration around

umbilicus

Answer 3

cullen’s sign

Question 4

bluish discoloration around

the flanks

Answer 4

grey turner’s sign

Question 5

The normal aortic pulsation is frequently visible

in the

Answer 5

epigastrium

Question 6

They are formed

by turbulent flow of the blood through the vessels, and suggest vascular occlusive Disease.

Answer 6

Bruits

Question 7

a high pitched musical sound that would

indicate a hollow space filled by air or gas in the GIT

Answer 7

tympany

Question 8

fluid, underlying organs, masses, or

feces

Answer 8

dullness

Question 9

Measure the vertical span of liver dullness in the

Answer 9

midclavicular line

Question 10

Border of cardiac dullness at: the 6th rib, Anterior axillary line, Left costal margin

Answer 10

traube’s space

Question 11

most inferior interspace on the left anterior axillary line

Answer 11

Castell’s sign

Question 12

Normally cannot be examined unless it is distended

above the symphysis pubis.

Answer 12

bladder

Question 13

Bladder volume must be _____ before

dullness appears.

Answer 13

400 to 600 ml

Question 14

Involuntary rigidity typically persists despite

these maneuvers, suggesting ______

Answer 14

peritoneal inflammation

Question 15

Inflammation of the parietal peritoneum

Answer 15

peritonitis

Question 16

Signs of peritonitis

Answer 16

o  Positive cough test
o  Guarding:  voluntary  contraction  or
involuntary
o  Rigidity – involuntary reflex contraction of the
abdominal  wall  that  persists  over  several
VOLUNTARY VS INVOLUNTARY RIGIDITY
examination
o  Rebound tenderness
o  Percussion tenderness

Question 17

t or f
normal liver edge is soft,
sharp,and regular, with a smooth surface.

Answer 17

T

Question 18

On inspiration, the liver is palpable about 3 cm below the

Answer 18

right costal margin in the midclavicular line.

Question 19

Splenomegaly is eight times more likely when the

spleen is palpable. Causes include

Answer 19

o Portal hypertension
o Hematologic malignancies
o HIV infection
o Splenic infarct or hematoma

Question 20

Kidney palpation

Answer 20

Below and parallel to 12th rib

Question 21

Place the ball of one hand in the costovertebral angle and strike it with the ulnar surface of your
fist.

Answer 21

CVAT

Question 22

CVAT: Pain with pressure or fist percussion suggests

Answer 22

pyelonephritis

Question 23

normal  aorta  is  not  more  than
3cm wide (average, 2.5 cm)

Answer 23

> 50 yo

Question 24

Ascites reflects the \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
in  cirrhosis  (the  most  common  cause  of  ascites),
heart failure, constrictive pericarditis or inferior vena
cava or hepatic vein obstruction.

Answer 24

inc hydrostatic pressure

Question 25

dec osmotic pressure

Answer 25

nephrotic syndrome, malnutrition, ovarian cancer

Question 26

Impulse transmitted

Answer 26

(+) fluid wave

Question 27

is the most tender area in the

presence of acute appendicitis.

Answer 27

mcburney’s point

Question 28

When right upper quadrant pain and tenderness

suggest acute cholecystitis, assess

Answer 28

murphy’s sign

Question 29

the patient

stops breathing in and winces with a ‘catch in breath

Answer 29

(+) murphys sign