Exam 3 Content Material Flashcards
What organs would you expect to find in the Right upper quadrant?
- Gall Bladder
- Liver
- R kidney
- Duodenum

What organs would you expect to find in the Right lower quadrant?
- appendix
- Ascending colon
- R ureter
- spermatic cord
- ovary
- ectopic pregnancy

What organs would you expect to find in the Left upper quadrant?
- Stomach
- spleen
- pancreas
- L kidney
- splenic flexure

What organs would you expect to find in the Left lower quadrant?
- segment of transverse colon
- descending colon
- L ureter
- spermatic cord
- ovary

What are some common characteristics of the abdomen with older persons?
- Fat migrates to the abdomen & hips – both genders
- More fat; less water content = Older persons “drier” than younger persons
- Delayed esophageal emptying
- Decreased gastric secretionIncreased incidence of gall stones
- Decreased liver size
- Common complaint – constipation
What are some areas of abdominal visceral pain?
- Epigastric
- Periumbilical
- Suprapubic
What are some characteristics of abdominal visceral pain?
- It occurs in Solid or hollow organs
- Ranges from steady ache or vague to colicky pain - dilation or spasm
- Midline – bilateral innervation
- Poorly localized
Epigastric pain will involve what structures?
Stomach, duodenum, biliary tract

Preumbilical (umbilical) pain will involve what structures?
small bowel, appendix, cecum

Suprapubic (hypogastric) pain will involve what structures?
colon, sigmoid, GU tract

What are some characteristics of parietal pain?
- Involves parietal peritoneum
- Sharp; localized pain
- Causes tenderness & guarding which progresses to rigidity
What is refered pain?
An aching pain that is localized in same cutaneous (close to the surface) dermatone sharing same spinal cord levels as visceral inputs

What are some examples of refered pain?
- Myocardial infarction – Can cause pain in the epigastric, neck, jaw or upper extremity regoins
- gall bladder disorders - Can cause pain the right shoulder early on in the disease
- Ureteral obstruction – can cause testicular pain

If a pt. states they have Loose, gray-tan, clay-colored stools, this can be an indication of what?
- blocked bile duct - due to absence of bile pigment
- Can also be related to hepatitis
It a pt. states they have black tarry stools this could indicate what?
upper GI bleeding is occuring
What is Hematemesis?
- Vommiting up blood (a significant amount of blood)
- This can be attributed to an upper GI bleed
What is Steatorrhea?
- Yellow, pale stool with high fat content
- Indicates malabsorption
When conducting a health history with Women of child bearing age, what should you ask?
- Last menses
- Sexual activity
- If using Contraception
- STDs
- # of Pregnancies
When conducting a health history you would want to know if the pt is taking what medications?
- NSAIDs - can cause ulcers
- H2 blockers - blocks stomach acid
- PPI - decreases stomach acid production
- Coumadin - causes vitamin K deficiency
What are some symptoms of Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?
Burning, mid-epigastric pain usually 30-60 minutes after eating
What is Cholecystitis?
Inflammation of the gallbladder
What are some symptoms of Cholecystitis?
- Nausea & diarrhea 2-4 hrs. after eating fatty food, alcohol, caffeine
- Pain may radiate to R or L scapula (referred pain)

What is a Pancreatitis?
Inflammation of the pancreas
What are some symptoms of a Pancreatitis?
- Acute, boring, mid-epigastric pain that may radiate to L or R or into back
- N/V























