NCLEX Abdomen Questions and

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NCLEX Abdomen Questions and Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified

A nurse is assessing a client who reports abdominal pain and nausea. Which action should the nurse take first?

• Palpate the abdomen

✔✔ B. Auscultate bowel sounds

• Percuss each quadrant
• Check for rebound tenderness

A client reports sharp pain in the right lower quadrant. Which condition should the nurse suspect?

• Pancreatitis
• Gastric ulcer

✔✔ C. Appendicitis

• Cholelithiasis

During abdominal assessment, the nurse notes a pulsating mass in the midline. What is the appropriate action? 1 / 3

2

• Continue with deep palpation

✔✔ B. Stop the assessment and notify the provider

• Document the finding as normal
• Reassess in 30 minutes

Which finding is expected when percussing over the stomach area?

• Dullness

✔✔ B. Tympany

• Resonance
• Flatness

A nurse is caring for a client with suspected bowel obstruction. Which assessment finding is most consistent with this condition?

• Hypoactive bowel sounds
• Soft abdomen

✔✔ C. Abdominal distention and vomiting

• Black, tarry stools
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Which quadrant would the nurse assess first during abdominal examination?✔✔ A. Right lower quadrant

• Left lower quadrant
• Right upper quadrant
• Left upper quadrant

What does a positive Murphy’s sign indicate?✔✔ A. Gallbladder inflammation

• Pancreatic inflammation
• Liver enlargement
• Gastric ulcer

A client who had abdominal surgery 12 hours ago reports no flatus and has absent bowel sounds.What is the nurse's best action?✔✔ A. Continue monitoring and encourage ambulation

• Administer a laxative
• Increase fluid intake
• Restart the client on a full liquid diet
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