assessing the abdomen

Cards (21)

  • Abdomen
    Bordered superiorly by the costal margins, inferiorly by the symphysis pubis and inguinal canals, and laterally by the flanks
  • Abdominal Quadrants and Regions

    • Used to describe the location of abdominal structures and pathologies
  • Abdominal Wall Muscles
    • Three muscle layers from back, around flanks, to front: external and internal abdominus oblique, transverse abdominus
    • Protect internal organs and allow normal compression of internal organs during functional activities
  • Solid viscera
    • Liver
    • Pancreas
    • Spleen
    • Kidneys
  • Liver
    Helps with metabolism, produces bile, produces clotting factors, detoxifies drugs and alcohol, converts glucose to glycogen, stores vitamins A, B, E, K
  • Pancreas
    Produces insulin, glucagon, helps produce enzymes to help with digestion, endocrine gland
  • Spleen
    Produces RBCs, activates B and T cell lymphocytes, stores RBCs and platelets, helps with immunity
  • Kidneys
    Maintain homeostasis, makes erythropoietin (helps stimulate RBCs)
  • Hollow viscera
    • Stomach
    • Gallbladder
    • Small intestine
    • Colon
    • Urinary Bladder
  • Current Symptoms
    • Abdominal Pain
    • Indigestion
    • Nausea and vomiting
    • Loss of appetite (anorexia)
    • Bowel movement (constipation and diarrhea)
    • UTI
    • Hepatitis
  • Past History
    • Abdominal surgery, trauma, injury, medications
    • Abdominal pain and treatment
    • Lab work or gastrointestinal studies
  • Family History
    • Stomach, colon, liver cancer
    • Abdominal pain, appendicitis, colitis, bleeding, hemorrhoids
    • Nutritional habits in family
  • Lifestyle and Health Problems
    • Alcohol
    • Smoking
    • Diet
    • Antacid (with Magnesium, Aluminum)
    • Medications
    • Fluid intake
    • Exercise
    • Stress
    • Past actions with abdominal pain or problems
  • Preparing the Client
    • Empty the bladder
    • Remove clothes and put on a gown
    • Lie supine with the arms folded across the chest or resting by the sides
    • Drape the client
    • Breathe through the mouth; take slow, deep breaths
  • Assessment of the Abdomen
    • Inspection
    • Auscultation
    • Percussion
    • Palpation
  • Inspection
    Observe the coloration and vascularity of the skin, look for lesions and rashes, assess abdominal contour, symmetry, and movements
  • Auscultation
    Use diaphragm to listen for bowel sounds, use bell to listen for vascular sounds
  • Percussion
    Percuss abdomen for tone, determine liver and spleen size, check for dullness
  • Palpation
    Perform light and deep palpation to check for tenderness, masses, and organ enlargement
  • Special Abdominal Tests
    • Tests for ascites
    • Tests for appendicitis
    • Tests for cholecystitis
  • Analysis of Data
    Formulate nursing diagnoses, collaborative problems, and make necessary referrals