Class notes
NUR 235 Abdomen assessment
- Course
- NURS 235
- Institution
- California Baptist University
This is a comprehensive and detailed note on abdomen assessment.
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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
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