Question 1

The nurse is aware that a change that may occur in the gastrointestinal system of an aging adult is:

Accepted Answer

A) increased salivation. 
B) decreased peristalsis. 
C) increased esophageal emptying. 
D) decreased gastric acid secretion. 
A) increased salivation. 
B) decreased peristalsis. 
C) increased esophageal emptying. 
D) decreased gastric acid secretion. D

Question 2

A patient is suspected of having inflammation of the gallbladder,or cholecystitis.The nurse will conduct which of the following to assess for this condition?

Accepted Answer

A) Obturator test 
B) Murphy's sign 
C) Assess for rebound tenderness 
D) Iliopsoas muscle test 
A) Obturator test 
B) Murphy's sign 
C) Assess for rebound tenderness 
D) Iliopsoas muscle test B

Question 3

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 action by the nurse is appropriate?

Accepted Answer

A) Tell him not to worry,that 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,that 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. C

Question 4

During report,the student nurse hears that a patient has "hepatomegaly" and recognizes that this term refers to a/an:

Accepted Answer

A) enlarged liver. 
B) enlarged spleen. 
C) distended bowels. 
D) excessive diarrhea. 
A) enlarged liver. 
B) enlarged spleen. 
C) distended bowels. 
D) excessive diarrhea.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

A) determine areas of tenderness before using percussion and palpation. 
B) prevent distortion of bowel sounds that might occur after percussion and palpation. 
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 that might occur after percussion and palpation. 
A) determine areas of tenderness before using percussion and palpation. 
B) prevent distortion of bowel sounds that might occur after percussion and palpation. 
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 that might occur after percussion and palpation.

Question 6

The nurse is assessing the abdomen of a pregnant woman,who is complaining of having a "stomach ache" all the time.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 7

The incidence of lactose intolerance is higher in adults of which ethnic group?

Accepted Answer

A) American Indians 
B) Hispanics 
C) Whites of British descent 
D) Americans of northern European descent 
A) American Indians 
B) Hispanics 
C) Whites of British descent 
D) Americans of northern European descent

Question 8

The physician comments that a patient has abdominal "borborygmi." The nurse knows that this term refers to:

Accepted Answer

A) a loud continuous hum. 
B) a peritoneal friction rub. 
C) hypoactive bowel sounds. 
D) hyperactive bowel sounds. 
A) a loud continuous hum. 
B) a peritoneal friction rub. 
C) hypoactive bowel sounds. 
D) hyperactive bowel sounds.

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 11

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 12

The nurse is preparing to examine patient who has been complaining of right lower quadrant pain.Which technique is correct during the assessment?

Accepted Answer

A) The nurse should examine the tender area first. 
B) The nurse should examine the tender area last. 
C) The nurse should avoid palpating the tender area. 
D) The nurse should palpate the area first and then auscultate for bowel sounds. 
A) The nurse should examine the tender area first. 
B) The nurse should examine the tender area last. 
C) The nurse should avoid palpating the tender area. 
D) The nurse should palpate the area first and then auscultate for bowel sounds.

Question 13

The nurse notes that a patient has had a black,tarry stool and recalls that a possible cause would be:

Accepted Answer

A) gallbladder disease. 
B) overuse of laxatives. 
C) gastrointestinal bleeding. 
D) localized bleeding around the anus. 
A) gallbladder disease. 
B) overuse of laxatives. 
C) gastrointestinal bleeding. 
D) localized bleeding around the anus.

Question 14

A nurse notes that a patient has ascites,which indicates that which of the following is present?

Accepted Answer

A) Fluid 
B) Feces 
C) Flatus 
D) Fibroid tumors 
A) Fluid 
B) Feces 
C) Flatus 
D) Fibroid tumors

Question 15

The nurse is assessing a patient for possible peptic ulcer disease and knows that 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 16

During an abdominal assessment,the nurse is unable to hear bowel sounds in a patient's abdomen.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 17

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 right upper quadrant 
C) Hyperresonance in the left upper quadrant 
D) Tympany in the right and left lower quadrants 
A) Dullness across the abdomen 
B) Flatness in the right upper quadrant 
C) Hyperresonance in the left upper quadrant 
D) Tympany in the right and left lower quadrants

Question 18

During an assessment of a newborn infant,the nurse recalls that pyloric stenosis would be manifested by:

Accepted Answer

A) projectile vomiting. 
B) hypoactive bowel activity. 
C) palpable olive-sized mass in right lower quadrant. 
D) pronounced peristaltic waves crossing from right to left. 
A) projectile vomiting. 
B) hypoactive bowel activity. 
C) palpable olive-sized mass in right lower quadrant. 
D) pronounced peristaltic waves crossing from right to left.

Question 19

Which sound is normal to elicit when percussing in the seventh right intercostal space at the midclavicular line over the liver?

Accepted Answer

A) Dullness 
B) Tympany 
C) Resonance 
D) Hyperresonance 
A) Dullness 
B) Tympany 
C) Resonance 
D) Hyperresonance

Question 20

Which of the following is a normal finding in the abdominal assessment?

Accepted Answer

A) The presence of a bruit in the femoral area 
B) A tympanic percussion note in the umbilical region 
C) A palpable spleen between the ninth and eleventh ribs in the left midaxillary line 
D) A dull percussion note in the left upper quadrant at the midclavicular line 
A) The presence of a bruit in the femoral area 
B) A tympanic percussion note in the umbilical region 
C) A palpable spleen between the ninth and eleventh ribs in the left midaxillary line 
D) A dull percussion note in the left upper quadrant at the midclavicular line

Exam 21: Abdomen

The nurse is aware that a change that may occur in the gastrointestinal system of an aging adult is:

A patient is suspected of having inflammation of the gallbladder,or cholecystitis.The nurse will conduct which of the following to assess for this condition?

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 action by the nurse is appropriate?

During report,the student nurse hears that a patient has "hepatomegaly" and recognizes that this term refers to a/an:

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

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

The incidence of lactose intolerance is higher in adults of which ethnic group?

The physician comments that a patient has abdominal "borborygmi." The nurse knows that this term refers to:

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

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

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

The nurse is preparing to examine patient who has been complaining of right lower quadrant pain.Which technique is correct during the assessment?

The nurse notes that a patient has had a black,tarry stool and recalls that a possible cause would be:

A nurse notes that a patient has ascites,which indicates that which of the following is present?

The nurse is assessing a patient for possible peptic ulcer disease and knows that which condition often causes this problem?

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

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

During an assessment of a newborn infant,the nurse recalls that pyloric stenosis would be manifested by:

Which sound is normal to elicit when percussing in the seventh right intercostal space at the midclavicular line over the liver?

Which of the following is a normal finding in the abdominal assessment?

Critical Thinking in Health Assessment

Developmental Tasks and Health Promotion Across the Life Cycle

Cultural Competence: Cultural Care

The Interview

The Complete Health History

Mental Status Assessment

Domestic Violence Assessment

Assessment Techniques and the Clinical Setting

General Survey, measurement, vital Signs

Pain Assessment: the Fifth Vital Sign

Nutritional Assessment

Skin, hair, and Nails

Head, face, and Neck, including Regional Lymphatics

Eyes

Ears

Nose, mouth, and Throat

Breasts and Regional Lymphatics

Thorax and Lungs

Heart and Neck Vessels

Peripheral Vascular System and Lymphatic System

Musculoskeletal System

Neurologic System

Male Genitourinary System

Anus,rectum,and Prostate

Female Genitourinary System

The Complete Health Assessment: Putting It All Together

Reassessment of the Hospitalized Adult

The Pregnant Female

Functional Assessment of the Older Adult

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