Abdomen Assessment – Health Assessment, Summer 2022

These flashcards cover abdominal quadrants and regions, common causes of pain by area, age-related changes, subjective history questions, terminology, correct physical-exam sequence, inspection, auscultation (bowel and vascular sounds), percussion notes, palpation techniques for organs, special tests, referred pain, and documentation. They provide concise Q&A style prompts for efficient exam review.

Which abdominal quadrant contains the liver and gallbladder?

Right upper quadrant (RUQ).

In which quadrant is the appendix located?

Right lower quadrant (RLQ).

The sigmoid colon lies in which abdominal quadrant?

Left lower quadrant (LLQ).

Name the nine abdominal regions starting in the upper right and moving left then downward.

Right hypochondrium, epigastric, left hypochondrium, right lumbar, umbilical, left lumbar, right iliac (hypogastrium), hypogastric/suprapubic, left iliac.

Why is knowledge of organ location by quadrant important during assessment?

It helps correlate pain or abnormal findings with likely organ pathology.

List two common RUQ causes of abdominal pain.

Hepatitis, cholecystitis (also gallstones, cholangitis, liver abscess, etc.).

Give two common LLQ causes of abdominal pain.

Diverticulitis and ulcerative colitis (also ectopic pregnancy, ovarian cyst).

What age-related change moves subcutaneous fat to the abdomen?

Redistribution of subcutaneous tissue in older adults.

How does decreased gastric acid secretion in aging adults affect health?

It can lead to malabsorption of iron, vitamin B12, and increase risk of anemia.

What is a key question to ask older adults experiencing constipation?

Inquire about fluid intake, fiber, physical activity, and medication use.

Differentiate ‘anorexia’ from ‘anorexia nervosa’.

Anorexia is loss of appetite; anorexia nervosa is a psychiatric eating disorder characterized by self-induced weight loss.

Define ‘dysphagia’.

Difficulty swallowing.

Define ‘pyrosis’.

Heartburn – burning sensation in esophagus/stomach.

What is the correct sequence for abdominal assessment?

Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation.

Why is auscultation performed before percussion and palpation?

Because percussion and palpation can stimulate bowel sounds, leading to inaccurate auscultation findings.

Describe the expected abdominal contour in a healthy adult.

Flat or slightly rounded.

What is Cullen sign and where is it observed?

Bluish periumbilical discoloration indicating intra-abdominal bleeding.

Which part of the stethoscope is used for bowel sounds and how is it applied?

The diaphragm, held lightly against the skin.

Where is the first place you place the stethoscope when auscultating the abdomen?

Right lower quadrant (over the ileocecal valve) because bowel sounds are normally always present there.

Define hyperactive bowel sounds.

Loud, high-pitched, rushing, tinkling sounds indicating increased motility.

Define hypoactive bowel sounds.

Soft, low, infrequent sounds (<5 per minute) suggesting decreased motility.

What is borborygmus?

A hyperperistaltic ‘stomach growling’ sound.

Name four abdominal vessels assessed for bruits.

Aorta, renal arteries, iliac arteries, femoral arteries.

Describe a systolic bruit and its usual cause.

Pulsatile blowing sound caused by arterial stenosis or aneurysm.

What percussion note is expected over most of the abdomen?

Tympany, due to air in intestines.

Percussion over which structure normally produces dullness?

Solid organs like the liver or full bladder (also spleen, feces-filled sigmoid colon).

What is voluntary guarding during light palpation?

Patient tenses abdominal muscles intentionally, often from cold, anxiety, or pain.

Why is mild tenderness expected in the sigmoid colon on palpation?

Because stool may be present, making the area more sensitive.

What hand positions are used to palpate the liver?

Left hand supports posterior ribs; right hand presses under right costal margin while patient inhales.

When is the spleen palpable?

Only when it is enlarged about three times its normal size (splenomegaly).

What does a widened aortic pulsation (>4 cm) suggest on palpation?

Possible abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Explain a positive Blumberg’s (rebound tenderness) sign.

Pain upon quick release of pressure, indicating peritoneal irritation (e.g., appendicitis).

Where is pain from cholecystitis typically referred?

Right shoulder or scapular area.

Provide a sample normal documentation phrase for bowel sounds.

“Bowel sounds active in all four quadrants, no vascular sounds.”

State the normal adult aortic width when palpated.

Approximately 2.5–4 cm.

Which condition may cause a venous hum over the abdomen?

Portal hypertension creating collateral venous flow.