ABDOMINAL ASSESSMENT

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ABDOMINAL ASSESSMENT
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VISCERA

• Defined as all the internal organs inside the
  abdominal cavity
• Solid viscera
• Hollow viscera
• Spleen
• Aorta
• Pancreas
• Kidneys
• Organ location by quadrants

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Aging Adult

• Fat accumulates in the suprapubic area
• Abdominal muscles relax
• Salivation and sense of taste ?
• Delayed esophageal emptying
• Gastric acid secretion ?
• Incidence of gallstones ?
• Liver size ? ? impaired drug metabolism
• Constipation ?

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SUBJECTIVE DATA

• Appetite
• Dysphagia
• Food intolerance
• Abd. Pain
• Nausea/ vomiting
• Bowel Habits
• Past history of abdominal problems
• Medications
• Nutritional assessment

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OBJECTIVE DATA

• Preparation
• Inspection
• - Contour
• - Symmetry
• - Umbilicus
• - Skin
• - Pulsation
• - Hair Distribution
• - Pts Demeanor

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AUSCULTATION

• Bowel Sounds
• Vascular Sounds

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PERCUSSION

• General Tympany
• Liver Span
• Splenic Dullness
• Other Procedures
• - Fluid Wave

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PALPATION

• Judges the size, location and consistency of
  organs
• Checks for abnormal masses or tenderness
• Enhancing muscle relaxation
• bend knees
• pt breathe slowly
• use imagery
• put pts hand under examiners hand

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Palpation cont

• Light palpation moving clockwise
• Guarding- voluntary vs involuntary
• Deep palpation- about 2-3 inches deep
• Normally palpable structures- p. 581
• Specific organs to palpate
• - Liver
• - Spleen
• - Kidneys
• - Aorta
• Rebound Tenderness