Question 1

The nurse is describing a scaphoid abdomen.To the horizontal plane, a scaphoid contour of the abdomen depicts a __________ profile.

Accepted Answer

A) Flat 
B) Convex 
C) Bulging 
D) Concave

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

A) Diarrhea 
B) Pyrosis 
C) Dysphagia 
D) Constipation

Question 3

To detect diastasis recti, the nurse should ask the patient to perform which of these manoeuvres?

Accepted Answer

A) Relaxing in the supine position 
B) Raising the arms in the left lateral position 
C) Raising the arms over the head while in a supine position 
D) Raising the head while in the supine position

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

A) Projectile vomiting 
B) Hypoactive bowel activity 
C) Palpable olive-sized mass in the right lower quadrant 
D) Pronounced peristaltic waves crossing from right to left

Question 5

During inspection of a 52-year-old patient, the nurse notes that the patient's abdomen is bulging and stretched with dullness percussed to the left lower quadrant.The nurse will document that the patient:

Accepted Answer

A) Is obese and on a weight loss program 
B) Has a hernia and awaiting surgery 
C) Has a scaphoid abdomen and there are no concerns 
D) Has a protuberant abdomen, which requires further investigation

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

A) Loud continual hum 
B) Peritoneal friction rub 
C) Hypoactive bowel sounds 
D) Hyperactive bowel sounds

Question 7

A 40-year-old man states that his physician diagnosed him with a hernia.He asks the nurse to explain what a hernia is.Which response by the nurse is appropriate?

Accepted Answer

A) "No need to worry.Most men your age develop hernias." 
B) "A hernia is a loop of bowel that has pushed through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles." 
C) "A hernia is the result of prenatal growth abnormalities that are just now causing problems." 
D) "I'll have to have your physician explain this to you."

Question 8

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

Question 9

When palpating the abdomen of a 20-year-old patient who was injured in a motor vehicle accident, the nurse notices the presence of tenderness in the left upper quadrant with deep palpation.Which of these structures is most likely to be involved?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 10

During an abdominal assessment, the nurse elicits tenderness on light palpation in the right lower quadrant.The nurse interprets that this finding could indicate a disorder of which of these structures?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 11

While examining a patient, the nurse observes abdominal pulsations between the xiphoid process 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

Question 12

During abdominal assessment of an adult patient, the nurse auscultates a bruit in the upper abdomen area just left of the midline.The nurse will:

Accepted Answer

A) Palpate the area 
B) Document the findings as normal 
C) Report the findings immediately 
D) Assess for rebound tenderness

Question 13

When percussing the left lower quadrant of the abdomen, the nurse elicits a drumlike sound normal for the:

Accepted Answer

A) Liver 
B) Pancreas 
C) Left kidney 
D) Sigmoid colon

Question 14

The nurse suspects that a patient has appendicitis.Which of these procedures are appropriate for use when assessing for appendicitis or a perforated appendix? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A) Test for Murphy's sign 
B) Test for Blumberg's sign 
C) Test for shifting dullness 
D) Perform the iliopsoas muscle test 
E) Test for fluid wave

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

A) Examine the tender area first 
B) Examine the tender area last 
C) Avoid palpating the tender area 
D) Palpate the tender area first and then auscultate for bowel sounds

Question 16

During the health history, the patient tells the nurse, "I have pain all the time in my stomach.It's worse 2 hours after I eat, but it gets better if I eat again!" On the basis of these symptoms, the nurse suspects that the patient has which condition?

Accepted Answer

A) Appendicitis 
B) Gastric ulcer 
C) Duodenal ulcer 
D) Cholecystitis

Question 17

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 lumbar region 
B) Inspect and palpate in the epigastric region 
C) Auscultate and percuss in the inguinal region 
D) Percuss and palpate the midline area above the suprapubic bone

Question 18

The nurse is percussing the seventh right intercostal space at the midclavicular line over the liver.Which sound should the nurse expect to hear?

Accepted Answer

A) Dullness 
B) Tympany 
C) Resonance 
D) Hyper-resonance

Question 19

An older patient has been diagnosed with pernicious anemia.The nurse knows that this condition could be related to:

Accepted Answer

A) Increased gastric acid secretion 
B) Decreased gastric acid secretion 
C) Delayed gastrointestinal emptying time 
D) Increased gastrointestinal emptying time

Question 20

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

Exam 22: Abdomen