Question

Which of the following is a normal finding in the abdominal assessment?

1.
The presence of a bruit in the femoral area
2.
A tympanic percussion note in the umbilical region
3.
A palpable spleen between the ninth and eleventh ribs in the left midaxillary line
4.
A dull percussion note in the left upper quadrant at the midclavicular line

Answer 1

A tympanic percussion note in the umbilical region is a normal finding in an abdominal assessment, while the other options may indicate abnormal conditions or findings.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer to the question is A tympanic percussion note in the umbilical region. This is a normal finding during an abdominal assessment. The presence of a femoral bruit could suggest vascular abnormality such as an aneurysm or stenosis. A palpable spleen in the location described is typically abnormal, as the spleen is usually not palpable in healthy individuals and implies enlargement if felt. Lastly, a dull percussion note in the left upper quadrant at the midclavicular line is often related to the presence of solid organs or masses, and can also represent fluid accumulation, as might be seen in splenic enlargement.

Healthcare professionals divide the abdominal cavity into regions and quadrants to more accurately locate and discuss findings. Nine regions or four quadrants are typically used, with the simpler quadrants method being most common in clinical medicine. In the quadrant approach, one horizontal and one vertical line intersect at the umbilicus to divide the cavity into four sections.