The Abdomen

Question 1

What is the lines alba

Answer 1

Jointing point of the abdominal muscles
-midline seam

Question 2

What are solid viscera

Answer 2

Organs that maintain a characteristic shape

Question 3

What are examples of solid viscera

Answer 3

Liver, pancreas, spleen, adrenal glands, kidneys, ovaries and uterus

Question 4

What are the hollow viscera

Answer 4

Organs in which shape depends on the contents within

Question 5

Examples of hollow viscera

Answer 5

Stomach, gallbladder, small intestine, colon

Question 6

What is the width of the spleen along the ribs?

Answer 6

Extends 7cm from the ninth to eleventh rib

Question 7

Where are the kidneys located

Answer 7

The left- at eleventh and twelfth ribs

The right- 1 to 2cm lower than the left kidney, and sometimes palpable

Question 8

What is within the right upper quadrant

Answer 8

-liver
-gallbladder
-head of pancreas
-right kidney and adrenal gland
-parts of ascending and transverse colon

Question 9

What is within the left upper quadrant

Answer 9

-stomach
-spleen
-left lobe of liver
-splenic flexure of colon
-parts of transverse and descending colon

Question 10

What is within right lower quadrant

Answer 10

-cecum
-appendix
-right ovary and fallopian tube
-right ureter
-right spermatic cord

Question 11

What is within left lower quadrant

Answer 11

-part of descending colon
-sigmoid colon
-left ovary and

Question 12

In newborns where does the umbilical cord show

Answer 12

Prominently on the abdomen

Question 13

Infants: umbilical cord contains

Answer 13

Two arteries and one vein

Question 14

Infants: liver

Answer 14

Takes up proportionately more space in the abdomen at birth than later in life

Question 15

Infants: can palpate lower edge of the liver

Answer 15

0.5 to 2.5cm below right costal margin

Question 16

Infants: urinary bladder

Answer 16

Located higher in the abdomen
-between symphysis and umbilicals

Question 17

Infants: abdominal wall

Answer 17

Less muscular, organs are easier to palpate

Question 18

Children: gastroenteritis

Answer 18

<1 increased risk for dehydration due to small body weights, and higher turnover of water/electrolytes

Question 19

Children: clinical dehydration signs

Answer 19

Increased risk for progression to shock
-altered responsiveness (irritability, lethargy)
-sunken eyes
-tachycardia
-tachypnea
-reduced skin turbot

Question 20

Pregnant women: morning sickness

Answer 20

Nausea and vomiting, early sing of pregnancy
-first and second missed periods
-related to change in hormones

Question 21

Pregnant women: hormones causing morning sickness

Answer 21

-human gonadroptin

Question 22

Pregnant women: acid ingestion

Answer 22

Heartburn caused by esophageal reflux

Question 23

Pregnant women: constipation

Answer 23

elevated levels of progesterone relax all smooth muscle leading to decrease in gastrointestinal motility and emptying
-more water reabsorbed from colon

Question 24

Pregnant women: hemorrhoids

Answer 24

Constipation and increased venous pressure in lower pelvis, may lead to hemorrhoids

Question 25

Pregnant women: bowel sounds

Answer 25

Enlarging uterus displaces intestines upwards and posteriorly -bowel sounds diminished

Question 26

Pregnant women: appendicitis

Answer 26

Pain experienced in RLQ

Question 27

Pregnant women: skin

Answer 27

Skin changes on abdomen, striae and linea nigra

Question 28

Older adults: appearance

Answer 28

-fat accumulation in suprapubic area (women due to estrogen decreased) -fat deposits in abdominal area lifestyle related

Question 29

Older adults: salivation

Answer 29

Decreases, causing dryness of the mouth and decrease in sense of taste

Question 30

Older adults: esophageal emptying

Answer 30

Delayed, feeding in supine position increases risk for aspiration

Question 31

Older adults: gastric acid secretion

Answer 31

Decreases, absorption of PO medication can be impaired or delayed -pernicious anemia, iron deficiency, or malabsorption of calcium

Question 32

Older adults: dehydration

Answer 32

Ability to conserve water is reduced, including temperature and thirst adaptation

Question 33

Older adults: liver

Answer 33

Size decreased with age -metabolism decreases -predictability of adverse/beneficial effects of drugs are less

Question 34

Older adults: renal function

Answer 34

Decreases, inc risk for AE or toxic med effects

Question 35

Older adults: gallstones

Answer 35

Increase

Question 36

Older adults: constipation

Answer 36

Decreased mobility, pathological conditions (hypothyroidism, AE med effects, poor dietary habits), lifestyle problems, poly pharmacy

Question 37

Medications associated with constipation include

Answer 37

Opioids, NSAIDs, antacids with aluminum or calcium, anticholinergics, diuretics, CCBs, Ca, Fe

Question 38

Pyrosis

Answer 38

Burning sensation in esophagus and stomach caused by reflux of gastric acid -heartburn

Question 39

Excessive bleaching

Answer 39

May occur with food intolerance, or hiatal hernia

Question 40

Different types of abdominal pain

Answer 40

Visceral - internal organ, dull/generalized/poorly localized Pariepetal - inflammation, sharp/localized/aggravated by movement Referred - disorder in another site

Question 41

Hematesis

Answer 41

Blood in vomit -occurs with stomach or duodenal ulcers, esophageal varies

Question 42

Black and tarry stools

Answer 42

Occult blood from GI bleed Black but not tarry - iron medications

Question 43

Grey stools

Answer 43

Hepatitis

Question 44

Red blood in stools

Answer 44

GI bleeding, localized bleeding around the anus