Author Question: Your patient complains of severe right lower quadrant abdominal pain. To assess the patient for ... (Read 185 times)

drink · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

Your patient complains of severe right lower quadrant abdominal pain. To assess the patient for peritoneal inflammation, the examiner should:

A. Percuss the right lower quadrant of the abdomen
B. Deeply palpate the right lower quadrant of the abdomen
C. Auscultate the right lower quadrant for hyperactive bowel sounds
D. Strike the plantar surface of the patient's heel while the patient is supine

Question 2

Rebound tenderness of the abdomen is a sign of:

A. Constipation
B. Peritoneal inflammation
C. Elevated venous pressure
D. Peritoneal edema

Galvarado142 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Ask the patient to stand with straight legs and to raise up on toes. Then ask the patient to relax, allowing the heel to strike the floor, thus jarring the body. A positive heel strike is indicative of appendicitis and peritoneal irritation. Alternatively, strike the plantar surface of the heel with your fist while the patient rests supine on the examination table.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
Rebound tenderness is tested by slowly pressing over the abdomen with your fingertips, holding the position until pain subsides or the patient adjusts to the discomfort, and then quickly removing the pressure. Rebound pain, a sign of peritoneal inflammation, is present if the patient experiences a sharp discomfort over the inflamed site when pressure is released.