ANSWERS VERIFIED AND GRADED
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What does the observation of abdominal pulsations between the
xiphoid process and umbilicus indicate?
Normal abdominal aortic pulsations.
What is a possible finding of peritonitis?
Hypoactive bowel sounds.
What can cause hyperactive bowel sounds?
Diarrhea, laxative use, and gastroenteritis.
What does tarry black melena stools indicate?
Gastrointestinal bleeding.
What are some abdominal conditions?
Liver impairment/issues, ascites, heartburn, Clostridium difficile colitis,
constipation.
What is the purpose of assessing the abdomen?
To gather subjective and objective data about the client's abdominal health.
,What is typhany and where is it heard?
A high-pitched, musical sound heard over the abdomen due to air in the
stomach and intestines.
What is dullness and where is it heard?
A flat, dull sound heard over the liver and spleen.
What is accentuated typhany or hyperresonance and where is it
heard?
A loud, booming sound heard over a gaseous distended abdomen.
What are normal findings of the abdomen?
A soft and non-tender abdomen.
What are some abnormal findings of the abdomen?
Absent bowel sounds, ascites, hyperresonance, tympany, hepatomegaly,
splenomegaly, Cullen sign.
What is the significance of absent bowel sounds?
It is associated with peritonitis, which can occur with a ruptured appendix.
, What is the positive fluid wave test and shifting dullness indicative of?
Ascites.
What is hyperresonance and when is it heard?
A lower pitched booming sound heard when there is too much air, such as
gaseous distention of intestines in the abdomen.
What is tympany and where is it heard?
A drum-like sound heard over air-filled organs like the stomach or intestines.
What is hepatomegaly and splenomegaly?
Enlarged liver and enlarged spleen
What does Cullen sign indicate?
Intra-abdominal bleeding.
What is the order of assessment for the abdomen?
Inspect, auscultate, palpate.
Where is the liver located?