Week 4: The Abdomen

Question 1

Surface landmarks

Answer 1

•Borders of abdominal cavity
•Abdominal muscles
•Linea alba
•Rectus ab

Question 2

Solid viscera

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Hollow viscera

Answer 3

Stomach, gallbladder, small intestine, colon and bladder

Question 4

Measures to enhance abdominal wall relaxation

Answer 4

•Empty bladder
•Keep room warm
•Position pt supine – pillows under head & knees
•Examine painful areas last

Question 5

Auscultation begins where?

Answer 5

At the Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ)

Question 6

What sound should be heard over percussion of abdomen?

Answer 6

Tympany, Dullness over solid organs

Question 7

If you identify mass, what do you note?

Answer 7

–Location, size, and shape
–Consistency and surface
–Mobility
–Pulsatility
–Tenderness

Question 8

What order is the abdominal exam done?

Answer 8

Inspect, auscultate, percuss, palpate

Question 9

Abnormal bowel sounds

Answer 9

Hypoactive and hyperactive

Question 10

Abnormal vascular sounds

Answer 10

Bruit and venous hum

Question 11

Abnormalities upon palpation

Answer 11

•Enlarged liver
•Enlarged nodular liver
•Enlarged gallbladder
•Enlarged spleen
•Enlarged kidney