HA EXAM 3 GUIDE WITH 100% ACCURATE ANSWERS AND
TERMINOLOGIES
What should the patient do before the abdominal physical exam?
The patient should empty their bladder
What side of the patient should the nurse be on when performing an
abdominal physical exam?
The nurse should be on the patients right side
What is the order of assessment for the abdomen?
inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
What are the four quadrants of the abdomen?
right upper, left upper, right lower, left lower
What are the nine regions of the abdomen?
right hypochondriac, epigastric, left hypochondriac
right lumbar, umbilical, left lumbar,
right inguinal, hypogastric (pubic), left inguinal
,What is the second largest organ in the body and is responsible for storage of
vitamins & minerals, protects us against harmful bacteria, and produces
clotting factors and bile?
The liver
Where is the liver located?
below the diaphragm, in the right upper quadrant
What region is the gallbladder located in?
right hypochondriac region
Where is the pancreas located?
behind the stomach, in LUQ
Where is the abdominal aorta?
runs down through the abdominal cavity just to the left of the upper
quadrant in the epigastric area; eventually becomes femoral arteries as they
enter the legs near the groin
Where is the spleen located?
ULQ; next to the liver
,What are the GI system's 4 physiologic functions?
Metabolism, Motility, Secretion, & Digestion and absorption
Metabolism within the GI system
Regulation of metabolism; gastric secretions contain hormones and
neuroregulators that control amount of secretions and movement as food is
digested.
Motility within the GI system
Movement of food through the GI tract via peristalsis
Secretion within the GI system
Enzymes are secreted that help aid the digestion of food.
Digestion and absorption within the GI system
Breaking down of large molecules of food into smaller, water-soluble form so
they can be absorbed by blood plasma. The SI absorbs nutrients
How should the skin tone and appearance of the abdomen appear?
smooth, dry, and even with homogeneous color
, Why is the abdomen a good area to assess pigment?
Because the abdomen is often covered/protected from the sun.
What might a yellow hue on the abdomen indicate?
jaundice or a liver condition
What could glistening or taut skin of the abdomen indicate?
could be attributed to ascites (buildup of fluid in the abdomen)
What can dilated veins on the abdomen suggest?
suggest presence of liver disease such as portal hypertension, cirrhosis,
ascites, vena cava obstruction, and malnutrition.
What may be a silvery color, due to pregnancy, rapid weight gain, or large
weight loss?
Striae (stretch marks)
When do striae occur?
when elastic fibers in the reticular layer of the skin are broken after rapid or
prolonged stretching as in pregnancy or excessive weight gain
When looking for scars and striae, what should you note?
TERMINOLOGIES
What should the patient do before the abdominal physical exam?
The patient should empty their bladder
What side of the patient should the nurse be on when performing an
abdominal physical exam?
The nurse should be on the patients right side
What is the order of assessment for the abdomen?
inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
What are the four quadrants of the abdomen?
right upper, left upper, right lower, left lower
What are the nine regions of the abdomen?
right hypochondriac, epigastric, left hypochondriac
right lumbar, umbilical, left lumbar,
right inguinal, hypogastric (pubic), left inguinal
,What is the second largest organ in the body and is responsible for storage of
vitamins & minerals, protects us against harmful bacteria, and produces
clotting factors and bile?
The liver
Where is the liver located?
below the diaphragm, in the right upper quadrant
What region is the gallbladder located in?
right hypochondriac region
Where is the pancreas located?
behind the stomach, in LUQ
Where is the abdominal aorta?
runs down through the abdominal cavity just to the left of the upper
quadrant in the epigastric area; eventually becomes femoral arteries as they
enter the legs near the groin
Where is the spleen located?
ULQ; next to the liver
,What are the GI system's 4 physiologic functions?
Metabolism, Motility, Secretion, & Digestion and absorption
Metabolism within the GI system
Regulation of metabolism; gastric secretions contain hormones and
neuroregulators that control amount of secretions and movement as food is
digested.
Motility within the GI system
Movement of food through the GI tract via peristalsis
Secretion within the GI system
Enzymes are secreted that help aid the digestion of food.
Digestion and absorption within the GI system
Breaking down of large molecules of food into smaller, water-soluble form so
they can be absorbed by blood plasma. The SI absorbs nutrients
How should the skin tone and appearance of the abdomen appear?
smooth, dry, and even with homogeneous color
, Why is the abdomen a good area to assess pigment?
Because the abdomen is often covered/protected from the sun.
What might a yellow hue on the abdomen indicate?
jaundice or a liver condition
What could glistening or taut skin of the abdomen indicate?
could be attributed to ascites (buildup of fluid in the abdomen)
What can dilated veins on the abdomen suggest?
suggest presence of liver disease such as portal hypertension, cirrhosis,
ascites, vena cava obstruction, and malnutrition.
What may be a silvery color, due to pregnancy, rapid weight gain, or large
weight loss?
Striae (stretch marks)
When do striae occur?
when elastic fibers in the reticular layer of the skin are broken after rapid or
prolonged stretching as in pregnancy or excessive weight gain
When looking for scars and striae, what should you note?
