Question 1

The nurse suspects that a patient has a distended bladder.How should the nurse assess for this condition?

Accepted Answer

A) Percuss and palpate in the LLQ. 
B) Inspect and palpate in the midline. 
C) Auscultate and percuss in right lower quadrant (RLQ). 
D) Percuss and palpate in the midline. 
A) Percuss and palpate in the LLQ. 
B) Inspect and palpate in the midline. 
C) Auscultate and percuss in right lower quadrant (RLQ). 
D) Percuss and palpate in the midline.

Question 2

The nurse is assessing a patient for possible peptic ulcer disease.Which condition often causes this problem?

Accepted Answer

A) Hypertension 
B) Streptococcus infections 
C) History of constipation and frequent laxative use 
D) Frequent use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs 
A) Hypertension 
B) Streptococcus infections 
C) History of constipation and frequent laxative use 
D) Frequent use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Question 3

Tenderness on light palpation in the RLQ could indicate a disorder of which of the following structures?

Accepted Answer

A) Spleen 
B) Sigmoid 
C) Appendix 
D) Gallbladder 
A) Spleen 
B) Sigmoid 
C) Appendix 
D) Gallbladder

Question 4

A 22-year-old man falls with his motorcycle and lands on the handlebars on his left side.He comes to the clinic for an examination.The nurse suspects that he may have injured his spleen.Which of the following is true regarding assessment of the spleen in this situation?

Accepted Answer

A) The spleen can be enlarged as a result of trauma. 
B) The spleen is normally felt upon routine palpation. 
C) If an enlarged spleen is noted,palpate it thoroughly to determine size. 
D) An enlarged spleen should not be palpated because it can rupture easily. 
A) The spleen can be enlarged as a result of trauma. 
B) The spleen is normally felt upon routine palpation. 
C) If an enlarged spleen is noted,palpate it thoroughly to determine size. 
D) An enlarged spleen should not be palpated because it can rupture easily.

Question 5

Which of the following percussion findings would be found in a patient with a large amount of ascites?

Accepted Answer

A) Dullness across the abdomen 
B) Flatness in the RUQ 
C) Hyperresonance in the LUQ 
D) Tympany in the RLQ and LLQ 
A) Dullness across the abdomen 
B) Flatness in the RUQ 
C) Hyperresonance in the LUQ 
D) Tympany in the RLQ and LLQ

Question 6

The nurse knows that during an abdominal assessment,deep palpation is used to determine:

Accepted Answer

A) bowel motility. 
B) enlarged organs. 
C) superficial tenderness. 
D) overall impression of skin surface and superficial musculature. 
A) bowel motility. 
B) enlarged organs. 
C) superficial tenderness. 
D) overall impression of skin surface and superficial musculature.

Question 7

Percussion notes heard during an abdominal assessment may include:

Accepted Answer

A) flatness,resonance,and dullness. 
B) resonance,dullness,and tympany. 
C) tympany,hyperresonance,and dullness. 
D) resonance,hyperresonance,and flatness. 
A) flatness,resonance,and dullness. 
B) resonance,dullness,and tympany. 
C) tympany,hyperresonance,and dullness. 
D) resonance,hyperresonance,and flatness.

Question 8

Which structure is located in the left lower quadrant (LLQ)of the abdomen?

Accepted Answer

A) Liver 
B) Duodenum 
C) Gallbladder 
D) Sigmoid colon 
A) Liver 
B) Duodenum 
C) Gallbladder 
D) Sigmoid colon

Question 9

During an abdominal assessment,the nurse tests for a fluid wave.A positive fluid wave test occurs with:

Accepted Answer

A) splenomegaly. 
B) distended bladder. 
C) constipation. 
D) ascites. 
A) splenomegaly. 
B) distended bladder. 
C) constipation. 
D) ascites.

Question 10

While examining a patient,the nurse observes abdominal pulsations between the xiphoid and umbilicus.The nurse would suspect that these are:

Accepted Answer

A) pulsations of the renal arteries. 
B) pulsations of the inferior vena cava. 
C) normal abdominal aortic pulsations. 
D) increased peristalsis from a bowel obstruction. 
A) pulsations of the renal arteries. 
B) pulsations of the inferior vena cava. 
C) normal abdominal aortic pulsations. 
D) increased peristalsis from a bowel obstruction.

Question 11

The nurse is assessing the abdomen of a pregnant woman,who is complaining of having a continuous "stomach ache." The nurse knows that esophageal reflux during pregnancy can cause:

Accepted Answer

A) diarrhea. 
B) pyrosis. 
C) dysphagia. 
D) constipation. 
A) diarrhea. 
B) pyrosis. 
C) dysphagia. 
D) constipation.

Question 12

During an abdominal assessment,the nurse is unable to hear the patient's bowel sounds.Before reporting this finding as "silent bowel sounds," the nurse should listen for at least:

Accepted Answer

A) 1 minute. 
B) 5 minutes. 
C) 10 minutes. 
D) 2 minutes in each quadrant. 
A) 1 minute. 
B) 5 minutes. 
C) 10 minutes. 
D) 2 minutes in each quadrant.

Question 13

A 45-year-old man visits the clinic for a physical.During the abdominal assessment,the nurse percusses and notes a 10-cm area of dullness above the right costal margin.The nurse should:

Accepted Answer

A) document the presence of hepatomegaly. 
B) ask additional history questions regarding the patient's alcohol intake. 
C) describe this as an enlarged liver,and refer the patient to a physician. 
D) consider this a normal finding,and proceed with the examination. 
A) document the presence of hepatomegaly. 
B) ask additional history questions regarding the patient's alcohol intake. 
C) describe this as an enlarged liver,and refer the patient to a physician. 
D) consider this a normal finding,and proceed with the examination.

Question 14

A 40-year-old man states that his doctor told him that he has a hernia.He asks the nurse to explain what a hernia is.Which appropriate action can be taken by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

A) Tell him not to worry,since most men his age develop hernias. 
B) Refer him to his physician for additional consultation,because he or she made the initial diagnosis. 
C) Explain that a hernia is a loop of bowel protruding through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles. 
D) Explain that hernias that occur in adulthood are often the result of prenatal growth abnormalities. 
A) Tell him not to worry,since most men his age develop hernias. 
B) Refer him to his physician for additional consultation,because he or she made the initial diagnosis. 
C) Explain that a hernia is a loop of bowel protruding through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles. 
D) Explain that hernias that occur in adulthood are often the result of prenatal growth abnormalities.

Question 15

To detect diastasis recti,the nurse should have the patient perform which of the following manoeuvres?

Accepted Answer

A) Relax in the supine position. 
B) Raise arms in the left lateral position. 
C) Raise arms over the head while supine. 
D) Raise the head while remaining supine. 
A) Relax in the supine position. 
B) Raise arms in the left lateral position. 
C) Raise arms over the head while supine. 
D) Raise the head while remaining supine.

Question 16

Just before going home,a new mother asks the nurse about her baby's umbilical cord.The nurse would tell her that:

Accepted Answer

A) it should fall off by 10 to 14 days. 
B) at birth,the cord is a bluish colour. 
C) it contains two veins and one artery. 
D) skin will cover the area within 1 week. 
A) it should fall off by 10 to 14 days. 
B) at birth,the cord is a bluish colour. 
C) it contains two veins and one artery. 
D) skin will cover the area within 1 week.

Question 17

Which of the following changes may occur in the gastrointestinal system of an aging adult?

Accepted Answer

A) Increased salivation 
B) Increased esophageal emptying 
C) Increased peristalsis 
D) Decreased gastric acid secretion 
A) Increased salivation 
B) Increased esophageal emptying 
C) Increased peristalsis 
D) Decreased gastric acid secretion

Question 18

Which of the following is true of bowel sounds?

Accepted Answer

A) They are usually loud,high-pitched,rushing,tinkling sounds. 
B) They are usually high-pitched,gurgling,irregular sounds. 
C) They sound like "two pieces of leather being rubbed together." 
D) They originate from the movement of air and fluid through the large intestine. 
A) They are usually loud,high-pitched,rushing,tinkling sounds. 
B) They are usually high-pitched,gurgling,irregular sounds. 
C) They sound like "two pieces of leather being rubbed together." 
D) They originate from the movement of air and fluid through the large intestine.

Question 19

A patient is having difficulty swallowing medications and food.The nurse would document that this patient has:

Accepted Answer

A) aphasia. 
B) dysphasia. 
C) dysphagia. 
D) myophagia. 
A) aphasia. 
B) dysphasia. 
C) dysphagia. 
D) myophagia.

Question 20

The main reason auscultation precedes percussion and palpation of the abdomen is to:

Accepted Answer

A) determine areas of tenderness. 
B) prevent distortion of bowel sounds. 
C) allow the patient more time to relax,and therefore be more comfortable with the physical examination. 
D) prevent distortion of vascular sounds,such as bruits and hums. 
A) determine areas of tenderness. 
B) prevent distortion of bowel sounds. 
C) allow the patient more time to relax,and therefore be more comfortable with the physical examination. 
D) prevent distortion of vascular sounds,such as bruits and hums.

Exam 22: Abdomen

The nurse suspects that a patient has a distended bladder.How should the nurse assess for this condition?

The nurse is assessing a patient for possible peptic ulcer disease.Which condition often causes this problem?

Tenderness on light palpation in the RLQ could indicate a disorder of which of the following structures?

A 22-year-old man falls with his motorcycle and lands on the handlebars on his left side.He comes to the clinic for an examination.The nurse suspects that he may have injured his spleen.Which of the following is true regarding assessment of the spleen in this situation?

Which of the following percussion findings would be found in a patient with a large amount of ascites?

The nurse knows that during an abdominal assessment,deep palpation is used to determine:

Percussion notes heard during an abdominal assessment may include:

Which structure is located in the left lower quadrant (LLQ)of the abdomen?

During an abdominal assessment,the nurse tests for a fluid wave.A positive fluid wave test occurs with:

While examining a patient,the nurse observes abdominal pulsations between the xiphoid and umbilicus.The nurse would suspect that these are:

The nurse is assessing the abdomen of a pregnant woman,who is complaining of having a continuous "stomach ache." The nurse knows that esophageal reflux during pregnancy can cause:

During an abdominal assessment,the nurse is unable to hear the patient's bowel sounds.Before reporting this finding as "silent bowel sounds," the nurse should listen for at least:

A 45-year-old man visits the clinic for a physical.During the abdominal assessment,the nurse percusses and notes a 10-cm area of dullness above the right costal margin.The nurse should:

A 40-year-old man states that his doctor told him that he has a hernia.He asks the nurse to explain what a hernia is.Which appropriate action can be taken by the nurse?

To detect diastasis recti,the nurse should have the patient perform which of the following manoeuvres?

Just before going home,a new mother asks the nurse about her baby's umbilical cord.The nurse would tell her that:

Which of the following changes may occur in the gastrointestinal system of an aging adult?

Which of the following is true of bowel sounds?

A patient is having difficulty swallowing medications and food.The nurse would document that this patient has:

The main reason auscultation precedes percussion and palpation of the abdomen is to:

Critical Thinking and Evidence-Informed Assessment

Health Promotion in the Context of Health Assessment

Cultural Competence: Cultural Care and Social Considerations in Health Assessment

The Interview

The Complete Health History

Mental Health Assessment

Substance Use in the Context of Health Assessment

Interpersonal Violence Assessment

Assessment Techniques and the Clinical Setting

General Survey, measurement, and Vital Signs

Pain Assessment

Nutritional Assessment and Nursing Practice

Skin, hair, and Nails

Head and Neck, including Regional Lymphatic System

Eyes

Ears

Nose, mouth, and Throat

Breasts and Regional Lymphatic System

Thorax and Lungs

Heart and Neck Vessels

Peripheral Vascular System and Lymphatic System

Anus,rectum and Prostate

Musculoskeletal System

Neurological System

Male Genitourinary System

Female Genitourinary System

The Complete Health Assessment: Putting It All Together

Bedside Assessment of the Hospitalized Patient

Pregnancy

Functional Assessment of the Older Adult

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