Abnormalities of the Abdomen Flashcards
Ascites
accumulation of serous fluid in the peritoneal cavity
Symptoms of Ascites
- everted umbilicus
- increased abdominal girth
- taut/tight skin
- usually normal bowel sounds
Constipation
bowels are evacuated at long intervals or with difficulty/straining, stool is usually very hard
Umbilical Hernia
soft skin covered mass which is the protrusion of the intestine through a weakness or incomplete closure in the umbilical ring
Hepatitis
inflammation and usually enlarged liver, liver tender to palpation
Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER/GERD)
- is a complex of symptoms of esophagitis and heartburn (pyrosis)
- usually occurs 30-60 minutes after eating
- aggravated by lying down or bending over
- usually in infants characterized by spitting up/vomiting
Aortic Aneurysm
- may be palpable during routine physical exam and feels like a pulsating mass in the upper abdomen just left of midline
- positive bruit
- decreased femoral pulses
- frequently located below the renal arteries
Appendicitis
- typically starts as dull, diffuse pain in periumbilical region that later shifts to severe, sharp, persistent pain and tenderness localized in RLQ (McBurney’s point).
- Pain is aggravated by movement, coughing; associated with anorexia, N/V, fever
Gastroenteritis/Gastritis (AGE)
diffuse generalized abdominal pain with nausea and or vomiting and or diarrhea
Cholecystitis
inflammation of the gallbladder
a protuberant abdomen is
rounded, bulging, and stretched
scaphoid abdomen
caves inward
Sharp pain along the costovertebral angles occurs with
inflammation of the kidney or paranephric area
Characteristics of Cholecystitis
- sudden pain in RUQ that may radiate to right or left scapula and which builds over time
- lasts 2-4 hours following ingestion of fatty foods, alcohol, or caffeine
- associated with N/V, positive Murphy’s sign or sudden stop in inspiration with RUQ palpation.
