Class notes
NUR 235 Abdomen assessment
- Course
- NURS 235
- Institution
- California Baptist University
This is a comprehensive and detailed note on abdomen assessment.
[Show more]
Content preview
Chapter 19: Assessing the abdomenThe abdomen is bordered superiorly by the costal margins, inferiorly by the
symphysis pubis and inguinal canals, and laterally by the flanks. It is important to
understand the anatomic divisions known as the abdominal quadrants, the
abdominal wall muscles, the internal anatomy of the abdominal cavity, and the
abdominal vasculature in order to perform an adequate assessment of the abdomen.
The abdomen is divided into four quadrants: KNOW THESE WELL!
RUQ- Ascending and transverse colon,
duodenum, gallbladder, liver, pancreases,
pylorus, right kidney, right ureter
RLQ- appendix, ascending colon, cecum, R
kidney, R ureter, R ovary or spermatic cord
LUQ- L adrenal gland, L kidney, L ureter,
pancreases, spleen, stomach, transverse
colon
LLQ-L kidney, L ovary or spermatic cord,
sigmoid colon.
MIDLINE: Bladder, uterus, prostate gland
Abdominal wall muscles: The outermost layer is called the external abdominal
oblique; middle is the internal abdominal oblique and the innermost layer is the
transverse abdominis
POP QUESTION: what is the largest solid organ of the body?
The……..LIVER *yayy*
Where is the liver located?
Below the diaphragm in the RUQ
, Interview questions when collecting subjective data:
Abdominal pain? Character? Onset? Location? Duration? Severity? Relieving and aggravating
factors? Associated factors? (See Abnormal Findings 19-1.) Indigestion? Nausea? Vomiting?
Precipitating/relieving factors? Change in appetite? Associated weight loss? Change in bowel
elimination? Describe. Constipation? Diarrhea? Associated symptoms? Any past GI disorders
(ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux, inflammatory or obstructive bowel, pancreatitis, gallbladder or
liver disease, diverticulosis, appendicitis, history of viral hepatitis)? Family history of colon,
stomach, pancreatic, liver, kidney, or bladder cancer? Use of medications—aspirin, ibuprofen,
anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids? Chronic use of antacids or histamine-2 blockers? GI
diagnostic tests? Surgeries? Health practices: usual diet? Exercise? Use of alcohol? Use of
caffeine, typical dietary and fluid intake (24-hour recall)? Effects of GI problems on activities of
lifestyle? Current life stressors
Visceral pain
occurs when the hollow abdominal organs become distended or contract forcefully.
Parietal pain
is when the parietal peritoneum becomes inflamed (like appendicitis or peritonitis). This type
tends to localize more to the source and is characterized by more severe pain.
Referred pain
occurs in distant sites. This pain travels and becomes highly localized at a distant site
Collecting Objective Data
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller anyiamgeorge19. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $10.99. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
78075 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy study notes for 14 years now