ABDOMEN

Created by

Geralf Mojana

Cards (75)

inspect abdomen for abdominal contour
is it:
flat
scaphoid
rounded
protuberant
observe skin of abdomen for
color, scars, striae, hernias, vascular changes, lesions or rashes
normal color of the abdomen is lighter from the skin of the uncovered areas of the body
Acute pancreatitis is a condition where the pancreas becomes inflamed and one has a rash on the abdomen
abdominal bruising is typically caused by: direct blows to your abdomen
Ascites is a condition in which fluid collects in spaces within your abdomen
Purple discoloration at the flank of abdomen is significant in abdominal bleeding
Conditions that puts excessive pressure on the legs or abdomen can lead to varicose veins & most common are pregnancy, obesity, and standing for long periods.
observe abdomen for symmetry, bulging or masses
bulge indicates a tumor, cyst or hernia
Abdomen should be symmetric. Abdomen does not bulge when client raises head
The umbilicus lies at a vertical level between the L3 and L4 vertebrae,
check the abdominal wall for movement. It could be peristalsis or pulsations
Abdominal pulsations can be seen ifthe client lies in dorsal recumbent,
this is related to blood flowing through the abdominal aorta.
Any condition that puts excessive pressure on the legs or abdomen can lead to varicose veins.
Common pressure inducers: pregnancy,obesity, long standing, and constipation
auscultate bowel sounds
for checking bowel motility
decreased motility suggests peritonitis
increased motility suggest obstruction
bowel sounds (borborygmi) are caused by peristaltic movement.
normally, it is:
high pitched
5-35 spm
bowel sounds
hypoactive is less than 5 BS per minute
absence is no sound heard. Must check for 5 minutes before concluding
Causes of hypoactive abdominal sounds or the absence of bowel sounds are: perforated ulcer, certain medications (such as codeine), damage of intestines, general anesthesia, abdominal surgery, infection of the abdominal cavity, or peritonitis.
hyperactive BS
loud, gurgling, greater than 35 BS per minute
borborygmi is loud stomach growling produced by movement of gas in stomach
Abdominal aorta supplies oxygenated blood to the abdominal, pelvic organs and the legs.
Renal artery is the blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood to the kidneys.
Iliac artery, supply blood to the pelvic region, hips, thighs & reproductive organs.
Femoral artery, supplies the thigh and the main arterial supply to the thigh and leg.
auscultate for vascular sounds in:
renal arteries
iliac arteries
femoral arteries
aorta
an increase in the blood pressure within a system of veins called the portal venous system.
If the vessels in the liver are blocked due to liver damage, blood cannot flow properly through the liver. As a result, high pressure in the portal system develops.
bruits are low pitched resembling murmurs caused by obstructed artery turbulence
venous hum is soft pitched indicated portal tension
asucultate for friction rub
by forcibly rubbing the thumbs together and close to the ear.
it is caused by 2 organs rubbing against peritoneum and not normally heard
percuss the 4 quadrants of abdomen to determine the amount of tympany (air under the structure) and dullness
Tympany is heard over a gaseous distended abdomen.
An enlarged area of dullness is heard over an enlarged liver.
Percuss the height of liver by determining its lower and upper borders. Begin in the RLQ at the MCL and percuss upward.
Note the change from tympany to dullness.
The lower border of liver dullness is located at the costal margin to 1 to 2 cm.
A liver in a lower position than normal is significant in emphysema.
A liver in a higher position is significant in the presence of mass, ascites or paralyzed diaphragm.
If the nurse suspects ascites, perform the shifting dullness or fluid wave tests.
Abnormal dullness is heard over a distended bladder, large mass or ascites in cases of ascites