NURS 214 EXAM 3 2026/2027 | NURSING STUDY GUIDE, EXAM
REVIEW & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
Abdomen - Surface Landmarks - Correct answer ✔✔ Extends from diaphragm to brim of pelvis
Bordered by vertebral column and paravertebral muscles in back
Bordered by lower rib cage and abdominal muscles at sides and front
Ventral (front) abdominal wall formed by 4 layers of large, flat muscles
-Purpose:
· Protect and hold organs in place
· Flex vertebral column
-Linea alba:
· Tendinous seam at midline of abdomen
· Joins the layers of abdominal muscles
-Rectus abdominis muscles:
· Form strip extending length of midline
· Edge is often palpable
-Internal, external, transverse obliques
Peritoneum - Correct answer ✔✔ Lies internal to abdominal musculature
Double envelope of serous membrane
- Visceral/Parietal peritoneum
,Visceral Peritoneum - Correct answer ✔✔ Covers surface of most abdominal organs ("viscera")
Parietal Peritoneum - Correct answer ✔✔ Lines abdominal wall
Mesenteries:
-Double layers of parietal peritoneum
-Extend from abdominal wall
-Pathways for blood vessels, nerves, lymphatics
-Supporting networks for suspending and stabilizing abdominal organs
-Greater omentum
· Specialized fatty mesentery overlying ventral abdomen
Transverse Section - Correct answer ✔✔ divides the body into superior and inferior parts
Solid Viscera - Correct answer ✔✔ Maintain a characteristic shape
Liver, pancreas, spleen, adrenal glands, kidneys, ovaries, and uterus
Liver - Correct answer ✔✔ Fills most of RUQ
Extends over to Lt MCL
Lower edge may be palpable (normal)
Pancreas - Correct answer ✔✔ Soft, lobulated gland
,Located behind stomach
Stretches obliquely across posterior abdominal wall to LUQ
Spleen - Correct answer ✔✔ Soft mass of lymphatic tissue
Left posterolateral wall of abdominal cavity
Immediately under diaphragm
Lies obliquely with long axis behind and parallel to 10th rib
· Lateral to midaxillary line
Width extends from 9th - 11th rib (about 7 cm)
NOT normally palpable
· Enlarged = lower pole moves downward, toward midline of abdomen
Kidneys - Correct answer ✔✔ Bean-shaped
Adrenal glands on top of the kidneys
Retroperitoneal (behind peritoneal cavity) along posterior abdominal wall
Well-protected by posterior ribs, musculature
, Costovertebral angle
· Place at which 12th rib forms angle with vertebral column (spine)
· Left kidney located here (at 11th and 12th ribs)
Right kidney rests 1-2 cm lower than left kidney (due to liver)
· May be palpable normally
Ovaries - Correct answer ✔✔ Palpable only on bimanual examination during pelvic exam
(otherwise = abnormal)
Hollow Viscera - Correct answer ✔✔ Shape depends on contents
Stomach, gallbladder, small intestine
Usually NOT palpable
- May feel colon distended with feces/bladder distended with urine
Stomach - Correct answer ✔✔ Just below diaphragm
Between liver and spleen
Gallbladder - Correct answer ✔✔ Rests under posterior surface of liver
Just lateral to Rt MCL (midclavicular line)
Small Intestine - Correct answer ✔✔ Located in all 4 quadrants
REVIEW & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
Abdomen - Surface Landmarks - Correct answer ✔✔ Extends from diaphragm to brim of pelvis
Bordered by vertebral column and paravertebral muscles in back
Bordered by lower rib cage and abdominal muscles at sides and front
Ventral (front) abdominal wall formed by 4 layers of large, flat muscles
-Purpose:
· Protect and hold organs in place
· Flex vertebral column
-Linea alba:
· Tendinous seam at midline of abdomen
· Joins the layers of abdominal muscles
-Rectus abdominis muscles:
· Form strip extending length of midline
· Edge is often palpable
-Internal, external, transverse obliques
Peritoneum - Correct answer ✔✔ Lies internal to abdominal musculature
Double envelope of serous membrane
- Visceral/Parietal peritoneum
,Visceral Peritoneum - Correct answer ✔✔ Covers surface of most abdominal organs ("viscera")
Parietal Peritoneum - Correct answer ✔✔ Lines abdominal wall
Mesenteries:
-Double layers of parietal peritoneum
-Extend from abdominal wall
-Pathways for blood vessels, nerves, lymphatics
-Supporting networks for suspending and stabilizing abdominal organs
-Greater omentum
· Specialized fatty mesentery overlying ventral abdomen
Transverse Section - Correct answer ✔✔ divides the body into superior and inferior parts
Solid Viscera - Correct answer ✔✔ Maintain a characteristic shape
Liver, pancreas, spleen, adrenal glands, kidneys, ovaries, and uterus
Liver - Correct answer ✔✔ Fills most of RUQ
Extends over to Lt MCL
Lower edge may be palpable (normal)
Pancreas - Correct answer ✔✔ Soft, lobulated gland
,Located behind stomach
Stretches obliquely across posterior abdominal wall to LUQ
Spleen - Correct answer ✔✔ Soft mass of lymphatic tissue
Left posterolateral wall of abdominal cavity
Immediately under diaphragm
Lies obliquely with long axis behind and parallel to 10th rib
· Lateral to midaxillary line
Width extends from 9th - 11th rib (about 7 cm)
NOT normally palpable
· Enlarged = lower pole moves downward, toward midline of abdomen
Kidneys - Correct answer ✔✔ Bean-shaped
Adrenal glands on top of the kidneys
Retroperitoneal (behind peritoneal cavity) along posterior abdominal wall
Well-protected by posterior ribs, musculature
, Costovertebral angle
· Place at which 12th rib forms angle with vertebral column (spine)
· Left kidney located here (at 11th and 12th ribs)
Right kidney rests 1-2 cm lower than left kidney (due to liver)
· May be palpable normally
Ovaries - Correct answer ✔✔ Palpable only on bimanual examination during pelvic exam
(otherwise = abnormal)
Hollow Viscera - Correct answer ✔✔ Shape depends on contents
Stomach, gallbladder, small intestine
Usually NOT palpable
- May feel colon distended with feces/bladder distended with urine
Stomach - Correct answer ✔✔ Just below diaphragm
Between liver and spleen
Gallbladder - Correct answer ✔✔ Rests under posterior surface of liver
Just lateral to Rt MCL (midclavicular line)
Small Intestine - Correct answer ✔✔ Located in all 4 quadrants
