Abdominal Assessment
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Transcript Abdominal Assessment
Abdominal
Assessment
Lisa Pezik, RN, BScN
Clinical Educator
Objectives
Review basic anatomy of the abdominal system.
Discuss assessment techniques.
Critically think through common problems.
Discuss treatment plans for these problems.
GI System
Gastrointestinal System
30 Feet Long
Muscles, vessels, organs
From mouth to anus
Turns food into energy, growth, cell repair
Hormones of digestion
Gastrin
Secretin
Cholecystokinin
Gastric inhibitory peptide
Hormones
Digestion
Outside Muscles
Inside Muscles
Muscles
Support the abdominal cavity
Protect organs
Weakness leads to:
Hernias
Distention
Postural problems
Back pain
Risk of Falls
Vessels
Arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart.
Veins carry de-oxygenated blood to the heart.
Organs
Upper GI
Esophagus
Pancreas
Gallbladder
Stomach
Spleen
Liver
Duodenum
Lower GI
Small Intestine
Large Intestine
Appendix
Functions of The Organs
Esophagus
Carries liquids and saliva to the stomach
Pancreas
Digestive enzymes to control insulin and glucagon
Stomach
Secretes enzymes to digest food
Muscles churn to process food
Pyloric sphincter pushes food to the small intestine
Functions of the Organs
Spleen
Stores and produces lymphocytes to aid immunity
Gallbladder
Aids in fat digestion and stores bile
Liver
Bile production
Immune functions
Blood clotting
Stores sugar
Metabolizes drugs
Functions of the Organs
Small intestine
Chemical digestion occurs
Absorbs nutrients
21 feet long
Large intestine
Absorbs water and lubricates contents
Neutralizes acids and bacteria
5 feet long
Appendix
4 inches long
Junction of small and large intestine
Stores good bacteria in the gut?
Assessment Basics
Inspection
Auscultation
Percussion
Palpation
Inspection and Palpation
Look for distention or un-evenness of the umbilicus
Palpate 1cm for any painful areas
Measure abdominal growth if applicable
Organs Per Quadrant
Auscultation
Where to begin
Start in RUQ and listen 2 minutes in each quadrant
Absent, hypo/hyper/normoactive
Normal sounds in the small intestine
High pitched and gurgling
Normal sounds in the large intestine
Low pitched and rumbling
Normal Rate
5-35 sounds a minute
Percussion
Percuss all quadrants for dullness
Percuss for tympany
Low drum like sound caused by gas
Percuss for hyper-ressonance
Increased lower pitch due to distended bowel
Percuss bladder volume
Fullness causes pressure upwards
Interpretation of Results
Constipation
Mild Concern
Inability to pass stool, hard stool, or self impaction
Complaints of fullness
Can cause hemorrhoids
Constipation
Moderate Concern
Leaking, small stools
Cramping, bloating
Straining
Blood tinged stool
Vomiting
Fecal impaction
A large lump of dry stool
Caused by chronic constipation
Stool
Constipation
Severe Concern
Bowel Obstruction
Complete blockage of the small and large intestines
Distended tympanic abdomen
Tachypnea, Tachycardia, Low BP
Cramping, Pain, Tenderness
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Bloody Stools
Absent or hyperactive bowel sounds
Small Bowel Obstruction
Large Bowel Obstruction
Ascites
Build up of fluid in the abdomen
High pressure in the blood vessels of the liver
Low levels of albumin
Caused by:
Cancer
Liver failure
Pancreatitis
CHF
Portal Vein Thrombosis
Peritonitis
Inflammation of the peritoneum causing severe pain
Points to Ponder
Pain = Inflammation
Dullness with percussion = Fullness of normal OR
abnormal structure
Crepitus = Diverticulitis or organ perforation
Bruising = Hemorrhage or injury
Questions?