Auscultation and Bowel Sounds

These flashcards cover key terms and definitions relevant to auscultation and bowel sounds as presented in the lecture notes.

Auscultation

The act of listening to internal sounds of the body, typically using a stethoscope.

Bowel sounds

Noises produced by the intestines as they move air and fluid during digestion.

Borborigmi

Loud prolonged gurgles often associated with hunger or bowel activity.

Hypoactive bowel sounds

Decreased intestinal sounds, indicating possible obstruction or decreased intestinal activity.

High-pitched (tinkling) sounds

Sounds suggesting intestinal fluid and air under pressure, often indicative of early obstruction.

Absent bowel sounds

No bowel sounds detected after 5 minutes, generally linked with abdominal pain and rigidity, often considered a surgical emergency.

Normal bowel sounds

Presence of 5 to 35 clicks or gurgles per minute, indicating normal intestinal activity.

Peritonitis

Inflammation of the peritoneum, may lead to decreased bowel sounds.

Mechanical ileus

A blockage in the intestines preventing normal bowel function.

Paralytic ileus

A condition where the intestine fails to contract normally, leading to decreased or absent bowel sounds.