Jarvis: Physical Examination and Health Assessment, 5th edition
Chapter 21: Abdomen
Test Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which sound is normal to elicit when percussing in the seventh right intercostal space at the
midclavicular line over the liver?
1. Dullness
2. Tympany
3. Resonance
4. Hyperresonance
ANS: 1
The liver is located in the right upper quadrant and would elicit a dull percussion note.
DIF: Application REF: Page: 571
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
2. Which structure is located in the left lower quadrant of the abdomen?
1. Liver
2. Duodenum
3. Gallbladder
4. Sigmoid colon
ANS: 4
The sigmoid colon is located in the left lower quadrant of the abdomen.
DIF: Comprehension REF: Page: 561 MSC: NCLEX: General
3. A patient is having difficulty in swallowing medications and food. The nurse would document
that this patient has:
1. aphasia.
2. dysphasia.
3. dysphagia.
4. myophagia.
ANS: 3
Dysphagia is a condition that occurs with disorders of the throat or esophagus and results
in difficulty swallowing.
DIF: Application REF: Page: 563
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
, 21-2
4. The nurse suspects that a patient has a distended bladder. How should the nurse assess for this
condition?
1. Percuss and palpate in the lumbar region.
2. Inspect and palpate in the epigastric region.
3. Auscultate and percuss in the inguinal region.
4. Percuss and palpate in the hypogastric region.
ANS: 4
Dull percussion sounds would be elicited over a distended bladder, and the hypogastric
area would seem firm to palpation.
DIF: Application REF: Pages: 561, 570
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
5. The nurse is aware that a change that may occur in the gastrointestinal system of an aging adult
is:
1. increased salivation.
2. decreased peristalsis.
3. increased esophageal emptying.
4. decreased gastric acid secretion.
ANS: 4
As one ages, salivation decreases, esophageal emptying is delayed, and peristalsis is thought
to remain fairly constant. Gastric acid secretion decreases with aging. Decreased peristalsis
may result from decreased bulk in diet, decreased fluid intake, or laxative abuse.
DIF: Comprehension REF: Page: 562
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance
6. A 22-year-old man comes to the clinic for an examination after falling off his motorcycle and
landing on his left side on the handlebars. The nurse suspects that he may have injured his
spleen. Which of the following is true regarding assessment of the spleen in this situation?
1. The spleen can be enlarged as a result of trauma.
2. The spleen is normally felt upon routine palpation.
3. If an enlarged spleen is noted, palpate thoroughly to determine size.
4. An enlarged spleen should not be palpated because it can rupture easily.
ANS: 4
If you feel an enlarged spleen, refer the person but do not continue to palpate it. An
enlarged spleen is friable and can rupture easily with overpalpation.
DIF: Application REF: Page: 579
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation
7. A patient’s abdomen is bulging and stretched in appearance. The nurse would describe this
finding as:
1. obese.
2. herniated.
Chapter 21: Abdomen
Test Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which sound is normal to elicit when percussing in the seventh right intercostal space at the
midclavicular line over the liver?
1. Dullness
2. Tympany
3. Resonance
4. Hyperresonance
ANS: 1
The liver is located in the right upper quadrant and would elicit a dull percussion note.
DIF: Application REF: Page: 571
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
2. Which structure is located in the left lower quadrant of the abdomen?
1. Liver
2. Duodenum
3. Gallbladder
4. Sigmoid colon
ANS: 4
The sigmoid colon is located in the left lower quadrant of the abdomen.
DIF: Comprehension REF: Page: 561 MSC: NCLEX: General
3. A patient is having difficulty in swallowing medications and food. The nurse would document
that this patient has:
1. aphasia.
2. dysphasia.
3. dysphagia.
4. myophagia.
ANS: 3
Dysphagia is a condition that occurs with disorders of the throat or esophagus and results
in difficulty swallowing.
DIF: Application REF: Page: 563
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
, 21-2
4. The nurse suspects that a patient has a distended bladder. How should the nurse assess for this
condition?
1. Percuss and palpate in the lumbar region.
2. Inspect and palpate in the epigastric region.
3. Auscultate and percuss in the inguinal region.
4. Percuss and palpate in the hypogastric region.
ANS: 4
Dull percussion sounds would be elicited over a distended bladder, and the hypogastric
area would seem firm to palpation.
DIF: Application REF: Pages: 561, 570
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
5. The nurse is aware that a change that may occur in the gastrointestinal system of an aging adult
is:
1. increased salivation.
2. decreased peristalsis.
3. increased esophageal emptying.
4. decreased gastric acid secretion.
ANS: 4
As one ages, salivation decreases, esophageal emptying is delayed, and peristalsis is thought
to remain fairly constant. Gastric acid secretion decreases with aging. Decreased peristalsis
may result from decreased bulk in diet, decreased fluid intake, or laxative abuse.
DIF: Comprehension REF: Page: 562
MSC: NCLEX: Health Promotion and Maintenance
6. A 22-year-old man comes to the clinic for an examination after falling off his motorcycle and
landing on his left side on the handlebars. The nurse suspects that he may have injured his
spleen. Which of the following is true regarding assessment of the spleen in this situation?
1. The spleen can be enlarged as a result of trauma.
2. The spleen is normally felt upon routine palpation.
3. If an enlarged spleen is noted, palpate thoroughly to determine size.
4. An enlarged spleen should not be palpated because it can rupture easily.
ANS: 4
If you feel an enlarged spleen, refer the person but do not continue to palpate it. An
enlarged spleen is friable and can rupture easily with overpalpation.
DIF: Application REF: Page: 579
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation
7. A patient’s abdomen is bulging and stretched in appearance. The nurse would describe this
finding as:
1. obese.
2. herniated.
