Chapter 22: Abdomen
Physical Examination and Health Assessment, 8th Edition by
Carolyn Jarvis
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse is percussing theseventh right intercostal space at themidclavicular line over
theliver. Which sound should thenurse expect to hear?
a. Dullness
b. Tympany
c. Resonance
d. Hyperresonance
ANS: A
The liver is located in theright upper quadrant and would elicit a dull percussion
note.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
MSC: Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
2. Which structure is located in theleft lower quadrant of theabdomen?
a. Liver
b. Duodenum
c. Gallbladder
d. Sigmoid colon
ANS: D
The sigmoid colon is located in theleft lower quadrant of theabdomen.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge)
MSC: Client Needs: General
3. A patient is having difficulty swallowing medications and food. thenurse would document
that this patient has:
a. Aphasia.
b. Dysphasia.
c. Dysphagia.
d. Anorexia.
ANS: C
Dysphagia is a condition that occurs with disorders of thethroat or esophagus and
results in difficulty swallowing. Aphasia and dysphasia are speech disorders.
Anorexia is a loss of appetite.
, DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)
MSC: Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
4. The nurse suspects that a patient has a distended bladder. How should thenurse assess for
this condition?
a. Percuss and palpate in thelumbar region.
b. Inspect and palpate in theepigastric region.
c. Auscultate and percuss in theinguinal region.
d. Percuss and palpate themidline area above thesuprapubic bone.
ANS: D
Dull percussion sounds would be elicited over a distended bladder, and
thehypogastric area would seem firm to palpation.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)
MSC: Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
5. The nurse is aware that one change that may occur in thegastrointestinal system of an
aging adult is:
a. Increased salivation.
b. Increased liver size.
c. Increased esophageal emptying.
d. Decreased gastric acid secretion.
ANS: D
Gastric acid secretion decreases with aging. As one ages, salivation decreases,
esophageal emptying is delayed, and liver size decreases.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
MSC: Client Needs: 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 handle bars. The nurse suspects that he
may have injured his spleen. Which of these statements is true regarding assessment of
the spleen in this situation?
a. The spleen can be enlarged as a result of trauma.
b. The spleen is normally felt on routine palpation.
c. If an enlarged spleen is noted, then thenurse should thoroughly palpate to
determine its size.
d. An enlarged spleen should not be palpated because it can easily rupture.
ANS: D
If an enlarged spleen is felt, then thenurse should refer theperson and should not
continue to palpate it. An enlarged spleen is friable and can easily rupture with
overpalpation.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)
Physical Examination and Health Assessment, 8th Edition by
Carolyn Jarvis
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse is percussing theseventh right intercostal space at themidclavicular line over
theliver. Which sound should thenurse expect to hear?
a. Dullness
b. Tympany
c. Resonance
d. Hyperresonance
ANS: A
The liver is located in theright upper quadrant and would elicit a dull percussion
note.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
MSC: Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
2. Which structure is located in theleft lower quadrant of theabdomen?
a. Liver
b. Duodenum
c. Gallbladder
d. Sigmoid colon
ANS: D
The sigmoid colon is located in theleft lower quadrant of theabdomen.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge)
MSC: Client Needs: General
3. A patient is having difficulty swallowing medications and food. thenurse would document
that this patient has:
a. Aphasia.
b. Dysphasia.
c. Dysphagia.
d. Anorexia.
ANS: C
Dysphagia is a condition that occurs with disorders of thethroat or esophagus and
results in difficulty swallowing. Aphasia and dysphasia are speech disorders.
Anorexia is a loss of appetite.
, DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)
MSC: Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
4. The nurse suspects that a patient has a distended bladder. How should thenurse assess for
this condition?
a. Percuss and palpate in thelumbar region.
b. Inspect and palpate in theepigastric region.
c. Auscultate and percuss in theinguinal region.
d. Percuss and palpate themidline area above thesuprapubic bone.
ANS: D
Dull percussion sounds would be elicited over a distended bladder, and
thehypogastric area would seem firm to palpation.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)
MSC: Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
5. The nurse is aware that one change that may occur in thegastrointestinal system of an
aging adult is:
a. Increased salivation.
b. Increased liver size.
c. Increased esophageal emptying.
d. Decreased gastric acid secretion.
ANS: D
Gastric acid secretion decreases with aging. As one ages, salivation decreases,
esophageal emptying is delayed, and liver size decreases.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
MSC: Client Needs: 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 handle bars. The nurse suspects that he
may have injured his spleen. Which of these statements is true regarding assessment of
the spleen in this situation?
a. The spleen can be enlarged as a result of trauma.
b. The spleen is normally felt on routine palpation.
c. If an enlarged spleen is noted, then thenurse should thoroughly palpate to
determine its size.
d. An enlarged spleen should not be palpated because it can easily rupture.
ANS: D
If an enlarged spleen is felt, then thenurse should refer theperson and should not
continue to palpate it. An enlarged spleen is friable and can easily rupture with
overpalpation.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)
