Health Assessment Test Bank - Chapter 13:
Abdomen
Student Laboratory Manual for Health Assess-
ment for Nursing Practice, 7th Edition
Wilson & Giddens - Test Bank
Chapter 13: Abdomen
1)
What is the correct order of assessment techniques for the abdomen?
A. Palpation, percussion, inspection, auscultation
B. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
C. Auscultation, inspection, palpation, percussion
D. Percussion, palpation, auscultation, inspection
Answer: B. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
Rationale: The correct order for abdominal assessment is inspection, ausculta-
tion, percussion, and then palpation. This order prevents altering bowel sounds
by palpation or percussion.
2)
Which quadrant is the appendix located in?
A. Left upper quadrant (LUQ)
B. Left lower quadrant (LLQ)
C. Right upper quadrant (RUQ)
D. Right lower quadrant (RLQ)
Answer: D. Right lower quadrant (RLQ)
Rationale: The appendix is located in the right lower quadrant (RLQ) of the
abdomen.
3)
What is the normal frequency of bowel sounds?
1
, A. Continuous gurgling
B. 5-30 sounds per minute
C. Less than 5 sounds per minute
D. More than 30 sounds per minute
Answer: B. 5-30 sounds per minute
Rationale: Normal bowel sounds are soft, gurgling, and occur irregularly at a
rate of 5-30 sounds per minute.
4)
Which finding suggests ascites?
A. Scaphoid abdomen
B. Protuberant abdomen with shifting dullness
C. Symmetric abdomen
D. Visible peristalsis
Answer: B. Protuberant abdomen with shifting dullness
Rationale: Ascites, the accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, often
presents as a protuberant abdomen with shifting dullness and a fluid wave.
5)
What does a bruit heard over the abdominal aorta indicate?
A. Normal finding
B. Aneurysm or arterial stenosis
C. Increased bowel motility
D. Venous hum
Answer: B. Aneurysm or arterial stenosis
Rationale: A bruit (a blowing, swishing sound) heard over the abdominal aorta
may indicate an aneurysm or arterial stenosis, requiring further investigation.
6)
When palpating the abdomen, which area should be palpated last?
A. Umbilicus
B. Area of reported pain
C. Liver border
D. Spleen
Answer: B. Area of reported pain
Rationale: The area of reported pain should always be palpated last to avoid
causing discomfort early in the examination, which could lead to guarding and
interfere with assessment of other areas.
7)
2
Abdomen
Student Laboratory Manual for Health Assess-
ment for Nursing Practice, 7th Edition
Wilson & Giddens - Test Bank
Chapter 13: Abdomen
1)
What is the correct order of assessment techniques for the abdomen?
A. Palpation, percussion, inspection, auscultation
B. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
C. Auscultation, inspection, palpation, percussion
D. Percussion, palpation, auscultation, inspection
Answer: B. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
Rationale: The correct order for abdominal assessment is inspection, ausculta-
tion, percussion, and then palpation. This order prevents altering bowel sounds
by palpation or percussion.
2)
Which quadrant is the appendix located in?
A. Left upper quadrant (LUQ)
B. Left lower quadrant (LLQ)
C. Right upper quadrant (RUQ)
D. Right lower quadrant (RLQ)
Answer: D. Right lower quadrant (RLQ)
Rationale: The appendix is located in the right lower quadrant (RLQ) of the
abdomen.
3)
What is the normal frequency of bowel sounds?
1
, A. Continuous gurgling
B. 5-30 sounds per minute
C. Less than 5 sounds per minute
D. More than 30 sounds per minute
Answer: B. 5-30 sounds per minute
Rationale: Normal bowel sounds are soft, gurgling, and occur irregularly at a
rate of 5-30 sounds per minute.
4)
Which finding suggests ascites?
A. Scaphoid abdomen
B. Protuberant abdomen with shifting dullness
C. Symmetric abdomen
D. Visible peristalsis
Answer: B. Protuberant abdomen with shifting dullness
Rationale: Ascites, the accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, often
presents as a protuberant abdomen with shifting dullness and a fluid wave.
5)
What does a bruit heard over the abdominal aorta indicate?
A. Normal finding
B. Aneurysm or arterial stenosis
C. Increased bowel motility
D. Venous hum
Answer: B. Aneurysm or arterial stenosis
Rationale: A bruit (a blowing, swishing sound) heard over the abdominal aorta
may indicate an aneurysm or arterial stenosis, requiring further investigation.
6)
When palpating the abdomen, which area should be palpated last?
A. Umbilicus
B. Area of reported pain
C. Liver border
D. Spleen
Answer: B. Area of reported pain
Rationale: The area of reported pain should always be palpated last to avoid
causing discomfort early in the examination, which could lead to guarding and
interfere with assessment of other areas.
7)
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