Abdomen

• The abdominal contents are enclosed externally by the abdominal wall musculature—three layers of muscle extending from the back, around the flanks, to the front. The outer muscle layer is the external:


  abdominal oblique
• The sigmoid colon is located in this area of the abdomen: the

  left lower quadrant
• The pancreas of an adult client is located:

  deep in the upper abdomen and is not normally palpable
• The primary function of the gallbladder is to

  store and excrete bile
• The colon originates in this abdominal area: the

  right lower quadrant
• To percuss the liver of an adult client, the nurse should begin the abdominal assessment at the client's

  right upper quadrant
• To palpate for tenderness of an adult client's appendix, the nurse should begin the abdominal assessment at the client's

  right lower quadrant
• To palpate the spleen of an adult client, the nurse should begin the abdominal assessment of the client at the

  left upper quadrant
• The nurse plans to assess an adult client's kidneys for tenderness. The nurse should assess the area at the

  costovertebral angle
• A client visits the clinic because she experienced bright hematemesis yesterday. The nurse should refer the client to a physician because this symptom is indicative of

  stomach ulcers
• The nurse is assessing an older adult client who has lost 2.27 kg (5 lb) since her last visit 1 year ago. The client tells the nurse that her husband died 2 months ago. The nurse should further assess the client for

  appetite changes
• A client visits the clinic for a routine examination. The client tells the nurse that she has become constipated because she is taking iron tablets prescribed for anemia. The nurse has instructed the client about the use of iron preparations and possible constipation. The nurse determines that the client has understood the instructions when she says

  "I can decrease the constipation if I eat foods high in fiber and drink water."
• The nurse is caring for a female client during her first postoperative day after a temporary colostomy. The client refuses to look at the colostomy bag or the area. A priority nursing diagnosis for this client is

  disturbed body image related to temporary colostomy
• The nurse is preparing to assess the abdomen of a hospitalized client 2 days after abdominal surgery. The nurse should first

  inspect the abdominal area.
• The nurse is planning to assess the abdomen of an adult male client. Before the nurse begins the assessment, the nurse should

  ask the client to empty his bladder
• The nurse is assessing the abdomen of an adult client and observes a purple discoloration at the flanks. The nurse should refer the client to a physician for possible

  internal bleeding
• While assessing an adult client's abdomen, the nurse observes that the client's umbilicus is deviated to the left. The nurse should refer the client to a physician for possible

  masses
• While assessing an adult client's abdomen, the nurse observes that the client's umbilicus is enlarged and everted. The nurse should refer the client to a physician for possible

  umbilical hernia
• The nurse assesses an adult male client's abdomen and observes diminished abdominal respiration. The nurse determines that the client should be further assessed for

  peritoneal irritation
• The nurse is assessing the bowel sounds of an adult client. After listening to each quadrant, the nurse determines that bowel sounds are not present. The nurse should refer the client to a physician for possible

  paralytic ileus
• While assessing the abdominal sounds of an adult client, the nurse hears high-pitched tingling sounds throughout the distended abdomen. The nurse should refer the client to a physician for possible

  intestinal obstruction
• During a physical examination of an adult client, the nurse is preparing to auscultate the client's abdomen. The nurse should

  use the diaphragm of the stethoscope
• To palpate the spleen of an adult client, the nurse should

  place the right hand below the left costal margin
• The nurse is planning to assess a client's abdomen for rebound tenderness. The nurse should


  palpate deeply while quickly releasing pressure
• To assess an adult client for possible appendicitis and a positive psoas sign, the nurse should

  raise the client's right leg from the hip
• Absent or high-pitched bowel sounds

  Paralytic ileus
• Can identify a mass or enlarged organ in an ascitic abdomen

  Ballottement test
• Release of pressure quickly after deep palpation

  Rebound tenderness
• Protrusion of the bowel through the abdominal wall

  Hernia
• Inspiratory arrest or causes client to hold breath

  Murphy sign
• Bacterium Helicobacter pylori


  Peptic ulcer disease
• RUQ pain or tenderness

  Cholecystitis
• Increased peristaltic waves


  Intestinal obstruction
• Shifting dullness and fluid wave tests

  Ascites
• Assessed by raising right leg from hip

  Positive psoas sign
• segment of intestine that absorbs bile salts and vit b12

  ileum
• left kidney, left ovary and fallopian tube, and left spermatic cord

  LLQ
• ascending colon, right spermatic cord, and right ovary and fallopian tube


  RLQ
• transverse descending colon, pancreas (body and tail), and stomach

  LUQ
• gallbladder, right adrenal gland, and right ureter


  RUQ