Assessment Abdominal Questions and

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Assessment Abdominal Questions and Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified

During abdominal inspection, which of the following would be considered an abnormal finding?✔✔ A. Visible pulsations near the umbilicus

• Flat contour with symmetrical movement
• Even skin tone and no discoloration
• No visible peristalsis

The nurse auscultates the abdomen and hears high-pitched tinkling sounds. What might this indicate?✔✔ A. Bowel obstruction

• Normal active bowel sounds
• Silent abdomen
• Gastroenteritis

Which technique should be used immediately after inspection during abdominal assessment?

• Percussion 1 / 4

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✔✔ B. Auscultation

• Light palpation
• Deep palpation

The nurse percusses a patient’s abdomen and notes tympany. This sound is typically produced

by:

✔✔ A. Air in the intestines

• Solid organ like the liver
• Enlarged spleen
• Ascitic fluid

What assessment finding is most concerning during an abdominal exam?

• Normoactive bowel sounds

✔✔ B. Rigid abdomen with guarding

• Soft abdomen with dullness over the liver
• Abdomen rising and falling evenly with respiration

Which of the following best describes rebound tenderness? 2 / 4

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• Pain with gentle stroking

✔✔ B. Pain upon release of pressure

• Pain that radiates with movement
• Pain during percussion

Which statement by the nurse indicates correct understanding of abdominal auscultation?

• "I will listen in each quadrant for 2 seconds."
• "I will start in the upper left quadrant."

✔✔ C. "I will use the diaphragm of my stethoscope to listen for bowel sounds."

• "I will percuss before auscultating to save time."

What is a normal frequency of bowel sounds in a healthy adult?

• One sound every 30 seconds

✔✔ B. 5 to 30 sounds per minute

• Constant rumbling
• No sounds for 2 minutes
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A nurse is palpating the abdomen and notes a firm, non-mobile mass. What is the next best action?

• Continue deep palpation

✔✔ B. Stop palpation and notify the provider

• Document it as normal
• Ask the client to drink water

When assessing for Murphy’s sign, the nurse is checking for issues related to which organ?✔✔ A. Gallbladder

• Appendix
• Spleen
• Pancreas

The presence of a bruit over the abdominal aorta during assessment may indicate:

• Fluid in the abdomen

✔✔ B. Vascular abnormality like an aneurysm

• Normal circulation
• Enlarged liver
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