3000 Abdominal Assessment Flashcards
(33 cards)
Describe the structures found in the right upper quadrant during an abdominal assessment.
The right upper quadrant contains the lower margin of the liver, gallbladder, large intestines, and loops of small intestine.
Explain the significance of pain localized to the right lower quadrant.
Pain localized to the right lower quadrant may indicate issues with the small intestine, loops of large intestine, or the appendix.
Define the organs located in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen.
The left upper quadrant includes the spleen, pancreas, stomach, and duodenum.
Identify the structures found in the left lower quadrant during an abdominal assessment.
The left lower quadrant contains bowel loops and the descending colon.
How can abdominal pain above the umbilicus be interpreted clinically?
Pain above the umbilicus may be associated with conditions affecting the stomach, esophagus, reflux, pancreatitis, food intolerance, cholecystitis, gallstones, irritable bowel syndrome, angina, hepatitis, or lung infections.
List potential causes of lower abdominal pain.
Lower abdominal pain can be caused by bowel issues, gender-specific organs, endometriosis, ectopic pregnancy, ovarian torsion or cyst, testicular torsion, diverticulitis, pancreatitis, appendicitis, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), ischemic bowel, kidney issues, or pelvic inflammation.
Describe how associated pain can vary with different activities.
Associated pain may worsen during bowel movements, eating, urination, or menstruation.
What changes in bowel movements might indicate an abdominal issue?
Changes in bowel movements such as watery stools, blood, or diarrhea may indicate an abdominal issue.
Explain the importance of appetite changes in abdominal assessment.
Changes in appetite can provide insight into potential gastrointestinal issues or other underlying health conditions.
How can urine characteristics contribute to an abdominal assessment?
Urine color and smell can indicate hydration status, potential infections, or other metabolic issues.
What lifestyle factors should be considered during an abdominal assessment?
Lifestyle factors to consider include exercise habits, pregnancy status, food intolerances, alcohol consumption, and drug use.
Describe the inspection process during an abdominal assessment.
Inspection involves examining the skin, shape, color, breathing patterns, extra movements, peristalsis, scarring, hernias, general abdominal distension, umbilicus position, and stretch marks.
What is the significance of auscultation in abdominal assessment?
Auscultation helps assess bowel sounds, which can indicate normal peristalsis or abnormalities such as bowel obstruction.
How should bowel sounds be assessed during auscultation?
Bowel sounds should be assessed by listening in a clockwise motion, starting in the right lower quadrant, for 3-5 minutes in each quadrant.
What does the absence of bowel sounds for a full minute indicate?
The absence of bowel sounds for a full minute may indicate a lack of bowel movement, which is a serious clinical finding.
Describe the normal characteristics of bowel sounds during auscultation.
Normal bowel sounds are described as gurgling, rumbling, ticking, or clicking.
What is the clinical relevance of previous surgical scars during abdominal assessment?
Previous surgical scars may indicate past abdominal surgeries that could affect current abdominal health or function.
Explain the importance of family history in abdominal assessments.
Family history of food intolerance or gastrointestinal issues can provide valuable context for understanding a patient’s current symptoms.
Describe the process of palpation in abdominal examination.
Palpation involves feeling the abdomen to assess for various conditions such as fat accumulation, fluid buildup, presence of a fetus, gas due to bowel obstruction, fecal matter indicating constipation, or large tumors.
Explain the significance of no bowel sounds during an abdominal examination.
The absence of bowel sounds may indicate bowel obstruction or ileus, which is a temporary cessation of bowel activity.
Define rebound tenderness and its clinical significance.
Rebound tenderness is a sign of peritonitis, characterized by pain when pressure is released from the abdomen, indicating inflammation of the peritoneum.
How is RLQ pain related to appendicitis?
Right lower quadrant (RLQ) pain is a common symptom of appendicitis, often accompanied by other signs of inflammation.
Describe the clinical features of pancreatitis.
Clinical features of pancreatitis include sudden severe pain, diaphoresis, weight loss, nausea and vomiting, abdominal distension, fever, tachycardia, loss of appetite, and jaundice.
Explain the classifications of pancreatitis severity.
Pancreatitis is classified as mild (no organ failure), moderate (transient organ failure resolving in 24 hours), and severe (persistent organ failure with signs of sepsis).
