In discussing the abdomen, there is a convention for how we speak about locations. We usually divide the abdomen into four quadrants as illustrated in the diagram.
Step 23: We have added a axial line and a sagital line to the abdomen to illustrate this.
Step 24:
Using the accompanying diagram, use the supplied tape to identify the 4 quadrants on your Standardized Patient.
List the organs that are found in each of these quadrants on the worksheet provided.
Step 25:
Bowel sounds are important for assessing whether the gut is functioning. Place a stethascope in each of the quadrants on your Standardized Patient to listen for the bowel sounds. These sounds are the gurgles and pops that occur as the liquid contents of the bowel (sucus intericus) move through the gut, propelled by peristalsis.
If you aren't hearing any bowel sounds, ask your Standard Patient what they had for lunch.
Do you hear anything now?
Your ambulance crew arrives at the seen of a motor vehicle accident. The driver is pinned behind the steering wheel. He is unconcious, but his heart is beating and he is breathing. However, he has no bowel sounds.
