NURSING 6700 EXAM 2 QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS 2024-2025
All of the internal organs within the abdominal cavity are referred to as the
viscera.
Which structure can be found in all four quadrants of the small intestine?
Spleen - ANSWER soft mass of lymphatic tissue on the posterolateral wall of
the abdominal cavity, immediately behind the diaphragm; typically not
palpable—must be expanded three times its normal size.
The aorta is located just to the left of the midline in the upper abdomen. It
descends beneath the peritoneum before dividing into the right and left common
iliac arteries 2cm below the umbilicus. You may feel the aortic pulsations in the
higher anterior abdomen wall.
The pancreas is a soft, lobulated gland located behind the stomach. It extends
obliquely from the posterior abdominal wall to the LUQ.
ANSWER: The kidneys are bean-shaped, retroperitoneal, or posterior to the
abdominal contents, and are shielded by the posterior ribs and muscles.
It is normal to be unable to palpate the liver, kidneys, or spleen.
Hyperactive Bowel Sounds - ANSWER loud, high-pitched, gurgling sounds,
known as "borborygmi," indicate enhanced motility; they occur with early
mechanical bowel obstruction, illness, quick diarrhea, laxative use, and fading
paralytic ileus.
Hypoactive Bowel Sounds - ANSWER reduced or nonexistent bowel sounds
that indicate decreased motility due to inflammation, as observed with
peritonitis; paralytic ileus after abdominal surgery; or late colon blockage. This
can also happen with pneumonia. (inflammation or abdominal surgery).
When percussing the abdomen, which sound dominates?
,Hyper-resonance - ANSWER: What sound will you hear near the lung field?
Dullness - ANSWER: What sound do you hear above solid organs?
The umbilical cord has two arteries and one vein.
Tympany; dispersed dullness throughout fat tissue - ANSWER Sound heard
while percussing obese people
Tympany across a vast area - ANSWER What sound is produced while
percussing over an abdomen filled with air or gas?
Tympany at top where intestines float; dull over fluid; generates fluid wave and
shifting dullness - ANSWER Sound heard while percussing over an ascites-
affected belly.
Umbilical Hernia - ANSWER: Most usually observed in children, it emerges
after 2-3 weeks and is most noticeable when the infant cries. The hernia grows
to its largest size in one month (up to 2.5 cm or 1 inch) and typically fades
within a year.
Rebound tenderness - ANSWER pain on release of pressure; found with
appendicitis, gallstones, or cholecystitis; normal negative reaction is no pain on
release of pressure; perform at the end of the test because it can induce strong
pain and muscular rigidity.
Aortic Aneurysm - ANSWER: The aorta has stretched and swollen to the point
of rupture; hypertension is a significant factor; bulging pulsating mass > 5 cm
Liver Span - ANSWER: Measure the height of the liver in the right MCL, then
begin percussing at the area of lung resonance and move down the interspaces
until the sound changes to a dull character; identify the spot. Then, locate the
abdominal tympany and percuss up in the MCL. Mark where the sound
switches from tympany to a dull sound, usually at the right costal margin.
Measure the distance between two marks; normal size is 6-12 cm.
, Costovertebral angle - ANSWER Area in lower back where kidneys are placed;
where rib 12 forms an angle with the spinal column; evaluate for discomfort and
inflammation
Flank Area - ANSWER sides of the human body a little to the back where the
kidneys are positioned
Ascites is a condition in which excess fluid accumulates in the peritoneal space
of the abdomen. It can occur in patients who are experiencing fluid volume
overload owing to heart failure or who have liver problems.
Fluid Wave Test - ANSWER: To test for ascites, stand on the person's right side
and press the ulnar edge of another examiner's hand or the patient's own hand
firmly against the abdomen in the midline. Place your left hand on the person's
right flank. With your right hand, reach across the abdomen and strike the left
flank hard.
Shifting Dullness - ANSWER Test for Ascites; In a supine person, ascetic fluid
sinks by gravity into the flanks, displacing the air-filled bowel to the
periumbilical cavity. Because gas-filled intestines float above the fluid, you will
hear a tympanic note as you percuss the top of the belly. Percuss down the side
of the abdomen. If fluid is present, the sound will transition from tympany to
dull as you approach the level. Mark this location. A positive fluid wave test
occurs with substantial volumes of ascitic fluid.
Light, alcohol wipes, tape measure/ruler, thermometer, blood pressure cuff, and
stethoscope - ANSWER Equipment required for an abdominal examination
ANSWER The liver is the body's heaviest organ
1-2 hours - How soon after birth should bowel noises be heard?
ANSWERS 2024-2025
All of the internal organs within the abdominal cavity are referred to as the
viscera.
Which structure can be found in all four quadrants of the small intestine?
Spleen - ANSWER soft mass of lymphatic tissue on the posterolateral wall of
the abdominal cavity, immediately behind the diaphragm; typically not
palpable—must be expanded three times its normal size.
The aorta is located just to the left of the midline in the upper abdomen. It
descends beneath the peritoneum before dividing into the right and left common
iliac arteries 2cm below the umbilicus. You may feel the aortic pulsations in the
higher anterior abdomen wall.
The pancreas is a soft, lobulated gland located behind the stomach. It extends
obliquely from the posterior abdominal wall to the LUQ.
ANSWER: The kidneys are bean-shaped, retroperitoneal, or posterior to the
abdominal contents, and are shielded by the posterior ribs and muscles.
It is normal to be unable to palpate the liver, kidneys, or spleen.
Hyperactive Bowel Sounds - ANSWER loud, high-pitched, gurgling sounds,
known as "borborygmi," indicate enhanced motility; they occur with early
mechanical bowel obstruction, illness, quick diarrhea, laxative use, and fading
paralytic ileus.
Hypoactive Bowel Sounds - ANSWER reduced or nonexistent bowel sounds
that indicate decreased motility due to inflammation, as observed with
peritonitis; paralytic ileus after abdominal surgery; or late colon blockage. This
can also happen with pneumonia. (inflammation or abdominal surgery).
When percussing the abdomen, which sound dominates?
,Hyper-resonance - ANSWER: What sound will you hear near the lung field?
Dullness - ANSWER: What sound do you hear above solid organs?
The umbilical cord has two arteries and one vein.
Tympany; dispersed dullness throughout fat tissue - ANSWER Sound heard
while percussing obese people
Tympany across a vast area - ANSWER What sound is produced while
percussing over an abdomen filled with air or gas?
Tympany at top where intestines float; dull over fluid; generates fluid wave and
shifting dullness - ANSWER Sound heard while percussing over an ascites-
affected belly.
Umbilical Hernia - ANSWER: Most usually observed in children, it emerges
after 2-3 weeks and is most noticeable when the infant cries. The hernia grows
to its largest size in one month (up to 2.5 cm or 1 inch) and typically fades
within a year.
Rebound tenderness - ANSWER pain on release of pressure; found with
appendicitis, gallstones, or cholecystitis; normal negative reaction is no pain on
release of pressure; perform at the end of the test because it can induce strong
pain and muscular rigidity.
Aortic Aneurysm - ANSWER: The aorta has stretched and swollen to the point
of rupture; hypertension is a significant factor; bulging pulsating mass > 5 cm
Liver Span - ANSWER: Measure the height of the liver in the right MCL, then
begin percussing at the area of lung resonance and move down the interspaces
until the sound changes to a dull character; identify the spot. Then, locate the
abdominal tympany and percuss up in the MCL. Mark where the sound
switches from tympany to a dull sound, usually at the right costal margin.
Measure the distance between two marks; normal size is 6-12 cm.
, Costovertebral angle - ANSWER Area in lower back where kidneys are placed;
where rib 12 forms an angle with the spinal column; evaluate for discomfort and
inflammation
Flank Area - ANSWER sides of the human body a little to the back where the
kidneys are positioned
Ascites is a condition in which excess fluid accumulates in the peritoneal space
of the abdomen. It can occur in patients who are experiencing fluid volume
overload owing to heart failure or who have liver problems.
Fluid Wave Test - ANSWER: To test for ascites, stand on the person's right side
and press the ulnar edge of another examiner's hand or the patient's own hand
firmly against the abdomen in the midline. Place your left hand on the person's
right flank. With your right hand, reach across the abdomen and strike the left
flank hard.
Shifting Dullness - ANSWER Test for Ascites; In a supine person, ascetic fluid
sinks by gravity into the flanks, displacing the air-filled bowel to the
periumbilical cavity. Because gas-filled intestines float above the fluid, you will
hear a tympanic note as you percuss the top of the belly. Percuss down the side
of the abdomen. If fluid is present, the sound will transition from tympany to
dull as you approach the level. Mark this location. A positive fluid wave test
occurs with substantial volumes of ascitic fluid.
Light, alcohol wipes, tape measure/ruler, thermometer, blood pressure cuff, and
stethoscope - ANSWER Equipment required for an abdominal examination
ANSWER The liver is the body's heaviest organ
1-2 hours - How soon after birth should bowel noises be heard?
