PN 111-Cardiac And GI Exam Questions And
Accurate Answers
What is cholecystitis?
inflammation of the gallbladder
What is cholelithiasis?
stones (Gallstones) in the gallbladder
What is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?
Flow of gastric secretions (stomach acid) up into esophagus (regurgitation).
What are symptoms of liver disease?
Ascites, jaundice, cutaneous spider angiomas, dark urine, clay-colored stools, and
spleen enlargement.
When inspecting the abdomen what are the expected and abnormal findings?
Expected:
Surface characteristics should be smooth, with centrally located umbilicus—may be
inverted
Striae, scars, faint vascular network.
•***Expected: Slight skin color variation of abdomen from arms and legs.
Contour usually depressed; slightly raised if overweight or obese.
Abnormal:
, Distension in one area could represent pancreatitis, hernia, or enlarged liver or
mass/tumor
Distension may be due to fluid or air (ascites)
Pulsations or visible peristalsis
What is the sequence for abdominal examination?
IAPP:
Inspection
Auscultation
Palpation
Percussion
How does the nurse listen to bowel sounds?
Auscultate abdomen for bowel sounds:
Use diaphragm of stethoscope lightly and listen in a systematic progression-starting in
the RLQ unless there is pain present.
•Expected finding is 5-30 bowel sounds per minute or one every 5-15 seconds in all
quadrants
•If no bowel sounds are heard you must listen for up to 5 minutes before notifying the
provider and documenting absent BS
What abnormal abdominal sounds would the nurse assess for?
Auscultate abdomen for arterial and venous vascular sounds:
Use bell of stethoscope to auscultate for arterial (vascular) sounds- over aorta, renal,
iliac, and femoral arteries for bruits--swishing or blowing sound.
Use bell over above umbilicus for venous hum (abdominal aneurism).
Where would the nurse place the stethoscope when assessing for an aortic aneurism
Above the umbilicus (area #4)
Accurate Answers
What is cholecystitis?
inflammation of the gallbladder
What is cholelithiasis?
stones (Gallstones) in the gallbladder
What is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?
Flow of gastric secretions (stomach acid) up into esophagus (regurgitation).
What are symptoms of liver disease?
Ascites, jaundice, cutaneous spider angiomas, dark urine, clay-colored stools, and
spleen enlargement.
When inspecting the abdomen what are the expected and abnormal findings?
Expected:
Surface characteristics should be smooth, with centrally located umbilicus—may be
inverted
Striae, scars, faint vascular network.
•***Expected: Slight skin color variation of abdomen from arms and legs.
Contour usually depressed; slightly raised if overweight or obese.
Abnormal:
, Distension in one area could represent pancreatitis, hernia, or enlarged liver or
mass/tumor
Distension may be due to fluid or air (ascites)
Pulsations or visible peristalsis
What is the sequence for abdominal examination?
IAPP:
Inspection
Auscultation
Palpation
Percussion
How does the nurse listen to bowel sounds?
Auscultate abdomen for bowel sounds:
Use diaphragm of stethoscope lightly and listen in a systematic progression-starting in
the RLQ unless there is pain present.
•Expected finding is 5-30 bowel sounds per minute or one every 5-15 seconds in all
quadrants
•If no bowel sounds are heard you must listen for up to 5 minutes before notifying the
provider and documenting absent BS
What abnormal abdominal sounds would the nurse assess for?
Auscultate abdomen for arterial and venous vascular sounds:
Use bell of stethoscope to auscultate for arterial (vascular) sounds- over aorta, renal,
iliac, and femoral arteries for bruits--swishing or blowing sound.
Use bell over above umbilicus for venous hum (abdominal aneurism).
Where would the nurse place the stethoscope when assessing for an aortic aneurism
Above the umbilicus (area #4)
