ICM 1 - Exam 2 Flashcards
(183 cards)
Borborygmi
Hyperactive bowel sounds. Near continuous, very high-pitched tinkles (diarrhea) or rushes (early bowel obstruction)
Normal bowel sounds
Clicks and gurgles every 2 - 12 seconds
Normal abdominal aorta width?
2-2.5 cm
Signs of peritonitis?
- Rebound tenderness: sudden release of deeply palpating hand results in signs of pain like grimace or grasping of abdomen
- Rigidity/involuntary guarding: uncontrollable markedly increased abdominal wall muscular tone
What positive test result will indicate ascites?
Shifting dullness. Percuss with the patient in supine and side positions to determine if there is shifting dullness in the abdomen
Positive signs suggesting appendicitis?
- McBurney’s Point
- Psoas sign
- Obturator sign
McBurney’s Point
involuntary guarding and rebound tenderness just below the middle of a line joining the umbilicus and the anterior superior iliac spine
positive result indicates appendicitis
Psoas sign
Patient flexes his or her hip and pushes their thigh against the examiner’s hand. Pain indicates a positive sign for appendicitis
Obturator sign
Flex the patient’s hip and rotate the thigh internally. Pain indicates a positive sign for appendicitis
Murphy’s sign
Test for acute cholecystitis
On exhale place hand below the costal margin and at the mid-clavicular line on the right side. Upon inspiration see if patient winces or stops breathing in, indicating a positive test result
Visceral pain
gnawing, cramping or aching and is often difficult to localize
Parietal pain
Inflammation from the parietal peritoneum. More severe than visceral and easily localized (i.e. appendicitis)
Referred pain
Originates at different sites but shares innervation from the same spinal level (i.e. gallbladder -> shoulder; pancreas -> back)
Three superior openings into the abdominal cavity
IVC, Esophagus, Aorta
Four types of abdominal Xrays
- Supine view
- Upright and supine view - allows evaluation of free air and air fluid levels in bowel
- Acute abdominal series (includes CXR/PA chest view)
- Decubitus view - allows evaluation of air and air fluid levels if patient is unable to stand
What is the initial imaging modality used for abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, etc?
Xray
What is often the most important feature of abdominal xrays?
The bowel gas pattern. Is it normal, ileus (dilated/not moving right), or obstructed?
Plicae circularis
Vavulae conniventes or circular folds seen in the small bowel; they cross the entire diameter of small bowel loop
Haustra
Folds seen in large bowl; do not cross entire diameter of the bowel
Outside of xrays, what other imaging modalities are used on the GI tract?
Contrast studies (fluoroscopy), CT, MRI, ultrasound
Rehab swallow
Used typically in stroke patients to see how the patient is swallowing/what kind of diet they can tolerate
Contrasts used?
Barium sulfate or iodine-based. Can be given orally, rectally or through a tube
What are we not able to typically view with an endoscope?
Jejunum and ileum
Alternatives: capsule endoscope, small bowel follow through (timed looks), enterography (CT, MRI)
What can you view with an endoscope?
Esophagus, stomach, and duodenum