Nursing Assessment of the Oral Cavity, Abdomen, and Rectum

All flashcards

What information is collected in a digestive health history?

Ask about diet, food intolerances or allergies, eating and bowel patterns and recent changes, unintentional weight changes, diagnoses, and prior surgery. Obtain height and weight to calculate BMI.

How can a nurse assess lip symmetry?

Inspect the lips and ask the client to smile, observing whether both sides move evenly.

Why are bowel sounds auscultated before abdominal percussion and palpation?

Percussion and palpation can alter bowel sounds, so auscultation is performed first.

What does Grey Turner’s sign describe?

Flank and groin ecchymosis that may be associated with pancreatic hemorrhage.

What is a guaiac test used for in rectal assessment?

It helps confirm the presence of blood when bleeding is present or suspected.

Quiz questions

1. A client has fever, sore throat, stridor, difficulty swallowing, and drooling. Epiglottitis is suspected. What should the nurse do during the oral assessment?Answer: Avoid manipulating the oral cavity or using a tongue depressor.
2. A client develops new lip asymmetry along with arm weakness and slurred speech. What is the priority response?Answer: Alert the provider immediately because the findings may indicate stroke.
3. Which condition is a reason to avoid deep abdominal palpation?Answer: Suspected abdominal aortic aneurysm.
4. Which stethoscope component is used to listen for abdominal arterial bruits?Answer: The bell, placed over the arteries being assessed.
5. What is the name of a newborn’s first stool?Answer: Meconium.