Exam 13: Abdomen and Gastrointestinal System

The nurse observes a patient rocking back and forth on the examination table in pain. Based on the patient's history, the nurse suspects kidney stones. What additional examination technique does the nurse perform to confirm this suspicion?

A 75-year-old male patient asks how to reduce his risk of esophageal cancer. What is the nurse's most appropriate response?

A nurse expects which finding when assessing the abdomen of a patient who has been unable to void for 12 hours?

When inspecting a patient's abdomen, the nurse notes which finding as abnormal?

How does the nurse accurately assess bowel sounds?

Which techniques does a nurse use to palpate a patient's right kidney?

During an assessment for abdominal pain, a patient reports a colicky abdominal pain and pain in the right shoulder that gets worse after eating fried foods. What question does the nurse ask to confirm the suspicion of cholelithiasis?

When inspecting a patient's abdomen, which finding does the nurse note as normal?

What instructions does the nurse give a patient before palpating the abdomen?

When assessing the abdomen of a patient who has fluid in the peritoneal cavity, the nurse expects what change to occur when the patient turns from supine to the left side?

Which patient has the lowest risk for colon cancer?

A patient reports a change in the usual pattern of urination. What question does the nurse ask to determine if incontinence is the reason for these symptoms?

The patient reports right lower quadrant (RLQ) pain that is worse with coughing. Based on the patient's history, the nurse suspects appendicitis. What additional examination technique does the nurse perform to confirm this suspicion?

To correctly percuss the abdomen, a nurse places the distal aspect of the middle finger of the nondominant hand against the skin of the abdomen, and the other fingers are spread apart and slightly lifted off the skin. How does the nurse use the fingers of the dominant hand?

Which sound does a nurse expect to hear when percussing a patient's abdomen?

Which location does a nurse select when palpating a patient's liver?

When assessing an adult's liver, the nurse percusses the lower border and finds it to be 5 cm below the costal margin. What is the nurse's appropriate action at this time?

A patient reports intermittent cramping abdominal pain that is relieved by having a bowel movement. The patient complains of having the pain at this time, which is why she is seeking care. Which abnormal finding does the nurse anticipate finding on examination of this patient's abdomen?

A nurse inspects the abdomen for skin color, surface characteristics, and surface movement. What part of the abdominal assessment does the nurse perform next?

A patient reports having abdominal distention and having vomited several times yesterday and today. What question is appropriate for the nurse to ask in response to this information?