NUR 323 – Health Assessment and Promotion |ABDOMEN ASSESSMENT Study Guide (Barry University, Summer 2025) – High-Yield Summary with Clinical Tips

HEALTH ASSESSMENT AND
PROMOTION (NUR 323) ABDOMEN
ASSESSMENT STUDY GUIDE
(summarized and easy for your
revision) LATEST UPDATED AND
RATED A BARRY UNIVERSITY.

, Assessing Abdomen



Abdomen

❖ Bordered superiorly by the costal margins (ribs)

❖ Bordered inferiorly by the symphysis pubis and inguinal canals

❖ Bordered laterally by the flanks
Abdominal Quadrants

❖ Four quadrants: right upper quadrant (RUQ), right lower quadrant (RLQ), left lower
quadrant (LLQ), left upper quadrant (LUQ)

❖ Two imaginary lines (vertical/midline; horizontal/lateral)

❖ Regions commonly used: epigastric, umbilical, hypogastric, or suprapubic




Right Upper Quadrant

❖ Ascending and transverse colon

❖ Duodenum, gallbladder, hepatic flexure of colon, liver

❖ Pancreatic head, pylorus, right adrenal gland

, ❖ Right kidney (upper pole), right ureter
Right Lower Quadrant

❖ Appendix

❖ Ascending colon, cecum

❖ Right kidney (lower pole)

❖ Right ovary and tube(female)

❖ Right ureter

❖ Right spermatic cord (males)
Left Upper Quadrant

❖ Left adrenal gland

❖ Left kidney (upper)

❖ Left ureter

❖ Pancreas, spleen, stomach

❖ Transverse descending colon
Left Lower Quadrant

❖ Left kidney(lower)

❖ Left ovary and tube

❖ Left ureter

❖ Left spermatic cord

❖ Descending and sigmoid colon


Abdominal Wall Muscles

❖ Three muscle layers from back, around flanks, to front:
Outermost layer: external abdominus
oblique