PrepU Abdomen

The nurse is preparing to assess the abdomen of a client who is complaining of abdominal pain. Which statement by the nurse would be most appropriate? a) "I'm going to examine the area where you're having pain first to get a better picture of what's going on" b) "Before I get ready to examine the painful area, I will let you know in plenty of time" c) "You don't need to worry about anything, I Will make sure to be very gentle during the exam" d) "Since you're having pain in a certain area , I won't have to do a very thorough exam there"

"Before I get ready to examine the painful area, I will let you know in plenty of time"

A client reports that he has been experiencing diarrhea for the past week. What question by the nurse will assist in determining if this client is truly experiencing an alteration in bowel pattern? a) "What is the consistency of your stools?" b) "How many times a day are you having a bowel movement?" c) "Do you have a bowel movement every day?" d) "Have you changed your food intake this week?"

"How many times a day are you having a bowel movement?"

Which of the following acute abdominal symptoms could be life threatening? a) abdominal pain b) straie c) kidney stones d) Indigestion

Abdominal pain

A nurse examines a client with a paralytic ileus. Which alteration in the bowel sounds should the nurse expect to find with auscultation of the client's abdomen? a) Absent b) hyperactive c) hypoactive d) erratic

Absent

Which abdominal finding in an elderly client should prompt a nurse to perform additional assessment to determine the cause? a) An enlarged liver felt during palpation b) report of a decrease in appetite c) tympany percussed over the stomach d) negative fluid wave test

An enlarged liver felt during palpation

An emergency department nurse is caring for a teenage client who has severe pain in the umbilical area. Documentation shows that the client exhibits "Rovsing's sign." What might this client's medical diagnosis be? a) Gastroenteritis b) Liver disease c) appendicitis d) enlarged spleen

Appendicitis

A client's bladder is found to be distended. At which location would the nurse begin palpating? a) at the umbilicus b) at the symphysis pubis c) in the right lower quadrant d) in the left lower quadrant

At the symphysis pubis

When conducting the physical examination of a client's abdomen, the nurse auscultates 20 clicks and gurgles over 1 minute. Which of the following statements would accurately describe this finding? a)Bowel sounds normal b) Bowel sounds hyperactive c) Bowel sounds hypoactive d) Bowel sounds inconsistent

Bowel sounds normal

The nurse is percussing a client's liver and is assessing liver descent. The nurse would have the client do which of the following? a) ought forcefully b) holds his or her breath c) breathe deeply d) perform the Valsalva maneuver

Breathe deeply

Assessment of a client's abdomen reveals a positive Murphy's sign. Which of the following would the nurse suspect? a) Ascites b) appendicitis c) cholecystitis d) splenomegaly

Cholecystitis

The nurse is assessing a client and notes dullness to percussion in the lowest point of the abdomen. When rolling the client to the left, the nurse notes that there is now dullness on the left side. This indicates ascites, which can be caused by a) congestive heart failure and pyelonephritis b) cirrhosis and nephrosis c) metastatic neoplasms and coronary artery disease d) Congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease

Cirrhosis and nephrosis

Mr. Patel, 64 years old, was told by another care provider that his liver was enlarged. Although he is a lifelong smoker with a history of emphysema, the client has never used drugs or alcohol, nor does he have any knowledge of liver disease. Indeed, on examination, a liver edge is palpable 4 cm below the costal arch. Which of the following would the examiner do next? a) Check an ultrasound of the liver b) obtain a hepatitis panel c) determine liver span by percussion d) adopts a "watchful waiting" approach

Determine liver span by percussion

During deep palpation of the abdomen, the nurse identifies a soft, nontender, solid mass extending 2 to 3 cm below the right costal margin. Which of the following would be most appropriate? a) Refer the client for medical follow-u b) Evaluate further for a problem with the spleen c) Assess urinary output d) document the position of the liver

Document the position of the liver

Mr. Kruger, 84 years old, presents with a smooth lower abdominal mass in the midline, which is minimally tender. There is dullness to percussion up to 6 cm above the symphysis pubis. What does this most likely represent? a) sigmoid mass b) tumor in the abdominal wall c) hernia d) enlarged bladder

Enlarged bladder

Which action by the nurse will facilitate relaxation of the abdominal muscles during examination of the abdomen? a) Flex the client's legs by placing a pillow under the knees b) Raise the clients arms or fold them behind the head c) avoid the use of pillow under the head during examination d) provide privacy to the client and instruct him to relax

Flex the clients legs by placing a pillow under the knees

A client is complaining of pain in the right upper quadrant and also in the right shoulder. Which organ would the nurse suspect as being involved? a) Gallbladder b) Kidneys c) Stomach d) Pancreas

Gallbladder

A group of students is preparing for their clinical experience, for which they are required to demonstrate the techniques for examining the abdomen. The students demonstrate understanding of the proper sequence when they demonstrate the techniques in which order?

Inspect, auscultate, percuss, palpate

A nurse determines that the liver span of an older adult male client measures 6 cm. How would the nurse would interpret this finding? a) It is a normal sized liver b) the liver is larger then normal c) the liver is smaller then normal d) The liver has atrophied

It is a normal-sized liver

A nurse observes tenderness over the costovertebral angle on the right side. The nurse recognizes this as an abnormal finding for which organ? a) kidney b) liver c) spleen d) gallbladder

Kidney

A nurse auscultates for bowels sounds on a client admitted for nausea and vomiting and hears no gurgling in the right lower quadrant after one minute. What is an appropriate action by the nurse? a) document the absence of bowel sounds b) assess for findings of dehydration c) listen for a total of 5 minutes d) palpate for abdominal rigidity

Listen for a total of five (5) minutes

A client is admitted to a health care facility with new onset of abdominal pain, fatigue, and low back pain. The client relates a 10-year history of high blood pressure. When auscultating the client's abdomen for bowel sounds, what other assessment should the nurse perform at this time? a) Inspect the abdomen for color, shape and symmetry b) obtain a complete set of vital signs and pain assessment c) listen with the bell of the stethoscope for vascular sounds d) observe for evidence of increased abdominal girth

Listen with the bell of the stethoscope for vascular sounds

A client reports the onset of discomfort and pain in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen after eating. The nurse should assess this finding using which test? a) Obturator b) Murphy's c) Psoas d) Rovsing's

Murphys

The nurse is assessing an adult client with right lower quadrant abdominal pain. The client has no history of prior surgeries, has no allergies, and is physically fit. Which of the following should the nurse do during the abdominal examination? a) Observe the client's face for signs of discomfort b) Examine the abdomen with the clients bladder full c) Place the client supine with arms extended up d) Do not distract the client with questions while performing the examination

Observe the client's face for signs of discomfort

When visualizing the structures of the abdominal cavity, which of the following would the nurse expect to be in the right upper quadrant? a) Right kidney, ascending colon, and liver b) Right ovary, pancreas, and sigmoid colon c) right ovary, descending colon and spleen d) right kidney, transverse colon and inguinal ligament

Right kidney, ascending colon, and liver

The nurse is evaluating a new nursing graduate's ability to perform a rebound tenderness test for suspected appendicitis. The nurse determines correct technique when the new graduate is observed pressing deeply at which anatomic location? a) right upper quadrant b) left upper quadrant c) right lower quadrant d) left lower quadrant

Right lower quadrant

When palpating the abdomen, the nurse may be able to feel the lower edge of the liver in which quadrant? a) Right upper b) left upper c) right lower d) left lower

Right upper

A group of students is reviewing information about the locations of various organs within the abdomen. The students demonstrate understanding of the material when they identify which organ as being found in the left upper quadrant? a) Gallbladder b) liver c) spleen d) head of pancreas

Spleen

Which of the following would be most appropriate if a nurse palpates the abdomen and feels a prominent, nontender, pulsating 6-cm mass above the umbilicus? a) Refer the client to an oncologist b) Provide a dietician consult for the client c) counsel the client regarding hernia repair d) stop palpating and get medical assistance

Stop palpating and get medical assistance

A client reports severe pain in the left lower quadrant of three (3) days duration. How should the nurse conduct palpation of the abdomen due to this history? a) This area should be avoided completely b) the left lower quadrant is palpated last c) medicate for pain before beginning assessment d) encourage the client to relax to minimize pain

The left lower quadrant is palpated last

The nurse is admitting a new client to the floor and asks if the client has any dizziness. Why does the nurse do this? a) To assess for liver problems b) to assess for pancreatic problems c) to check for possible dehydration d) to check for an absorption problem

To check for possible dehydration

While conducting the physical examination, which of the following assessments would require the nurse to auscultate the abdomen? a) To identify the edges of abdominal organs b) to identify abdominal tenderness c) to identify the distribution of gas in the abdomen d) to identify bowel sounds

To identify bowel sounds

A student is performing a physical assessment on a client. While assessing the abdomen, the student percusses the spleen. What sound would be normal for the student to hear? a) Tympany b) Dullness c) Hollow sound d) Friction rub

Tympany

A nurse is assessing a male client's abdomen. Which of the following would lead the nurse to suspect a problem? a) Abdominal respiratory movements b) Visible peristaltic waves c) Symmetric appearance d) no bulging with head raising

Visible peristatlic waves

When performing the abdominal assessment for a client, which assessment technique should the nurse perform first?

Inspection