Assessing the Abdomen questions and solution A+ grade
What organs are in the abdominal cavity? - -the stomach, the small intestine, the large
intestine, the liver, the gall- bladder, the pancreas, the spleen, the kidneys, and the urinary
bladder. The abdominal cavity also contains the female reproductive organs
The organs typically referred to as abdominal viscera in the abdominal cavity are divided into 2
types: solid and hollow viscera - -Solid viscera are those organs that maintain their shape
consistently: liver, pancreas, spleen, adrenal glands, kidneys, ovaries, and uterus.
hollow viscera consist of structures that change shape depending on their contents. These
include the stomach, gallbladder, small intestine, colon, and bladder., and urinary.
Whether abdominal viscera are palpable depends on - -location, structural consistency,
and size.
What type of data is collected when assessing the abdominal area? - -Elimination, fluid
and microtonal intake, lifestyle
It is important to note the patient's preferred language for discussing health care, as well as any
sensory or communication needs. This is a requirement for hospitals based on what standards?
- -the Joint Commission Standards (Joint Commission, 2010).
Physical abdomen assessment includes - -assessing problems with pain and to identify
abdominal masses, to assess for the presence of bowel sounds (e.g., the return of bowel sounds
after surgery) and retention of urine in the urinary bladder.
Abdomen focused- Identify risk factors for altered health when collecting health history data -
-History of abdominal pain, indigestion, nausea or vomiting, constipation or diarrhea,
food allergies or lactose intolerance
,Appetite and usual food and fluid intake
Usual bowel and bladder elimination patterns
History of gastrointestinal disorders, such as peptic ulcer disease, bowel disease, gallbladder
disease, liver disease, or appendicitis
• History of urinary tract disorders such as infections, kid- ney stones, or kidney disease
• History of abdominal surgery or trauma
Type and amount of prescribed and over-the-counter med-
ications used
Amount and type of alcohol ingestion
For women, menstrual history
Before examining the abdomen what should you ask the patient to do - -Empty the
bladder to eliminate bladder distention and interference with accurate examination
What position should the patient be in when doing a physical exam on the abdomen - -
Supine position with both hands on the side and slightly elevate the head if possible
Raising arms above the head or folding them behind the head will tense the abdominal muscles.
, Ensure the patient is warm and comfortable by placing small pillows under the head and knees
to prevent what? if not, it would make palpating difficult - -Contraction of the abdomen
muscles
To locate the organs more easily and make documentation more specific, what should you do? -
-Divide the abdomen into 4 quadrants (lrq, urq, ulq, llq)
Right Upper Quadrant - -Pylorous
Duodenum
Liver Right kidney and adrenal gland
Hepatic flexure of colon
Head of pancreas
Left Upper Quadrant - -Stomach
Spleen
Left kidney and adrenal gland
Splenic flexure of colon
Body of pancreas
Right Lower Quadrant - -Cecum
Appendix
Right ovary and fallopian tube (female)
Right ureter and lower kidney pole
Right spermatic cord (male)
Left Lower Quadrant - -Sigmoid colon
What organs are in the abdominal cavity? - -the stomach, the small intestine, the large
intestine, the liver, the gall- bladder, the pancreas, the spleen, the kidneys, and the urinary
bladder. The abdominal cavity also contains the female reproductive organs
The organs typically referred to as abdominal viscera in the abdominal cavity are divided into 2
types: solid and hollow viscera - -Solid viscera are those organs that maintain their shape
consistently: liver, pancreas, spleen, adrenal glands, kidneys, ovaries, and uterus.
hollow viscera consist of structures that change shape depending on their contents. These
include the stomach, gallbladder, small intestine, colon, and bladder., and urinary.
Whether abdominal viscera are palpable depends on - -location, structural consistency,
and size.
What type of data is collected when assessing the abdominal area? - -Elimination, fluid
and microtonal intake, lifestyle
It is important to note the patient's preferred language for discussing health care, as well as any
sensory or communication needs. This is a requirement for hospitals based on what standards?
- -the Joint Commission Standards (Joint Commission, 2010).
Physical abdomen assessment includes - -assessing problems with pain and to identify
abdominal masses, to assess for the presence of bowel sounds (e.g., the return of bowel sounds
after surgery) and retention of urine in the urinary bladder.
Abdomen focused- Identify risk factors for altered health when collecting health history data -
-History of abdominal pain, indigestion, nausea or vomiting, constipation or diarrhea,
food allergies or lactose intolerance
,Appetite and usual food and fluid intake
Usual bowel and bladder elimination patterns
History of gastrointestinal disorders, such as peptic ulcer disease, bowel disease, gallbladder
disease, liver disease, or appendicitis
• History of urinary tract disorders such as infections, kid- ney stones, or kidney disease
• History of abdominal surgery or trauma
Type and amount of prescribed and over-the-counter med-
ications used
Amount and type of alcohol ingestion
For women, menstrual history
Before examining the abdomen what should you ask the patient to do - -Empty the
bladder to eliminate bladder distention and interference with accurate examination
What position should the patient be in when doing a physical exam on the abdomen - -
Supine position with both hands on the side and slightly elevate the head if possible
Raising arms above the head or folding them behind the head will tense the abdominal muscles.
, Ensure the patient is warm and comfortable by placing small pillows under the head and knees
to prevent what? if not, it would make palpating difficult - -Contraction of the abdomen
muscles
To locate the organs more easily and make documentation more specific, what should you do? -
-Divide the abdomen into 4 quadrants (lrq, urq, ulq, llq)
Right Upper Quadrant - -Pylorous
Duodenum
Liver Right kidney and adrenal gland
Hepatic flexure of colon
Head of pancreas
Left Upper Quadrant - -Stomach
Spleen
Left kidney and adrenal gland
Splenic flexure of colon
Body of pancreas
Right Lower Quadrant - -Cecum
Appendix
Right ovary and fallopian tube (female)
Right ureter and lower kidney pole
Right spermatic cord (male)
Left Lower Quadrant - -Sigmoid colon
