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Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) — NCLEX Cheat Sheet

Pulsatile mass → rupture = fatal

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👤 By the CinnaRN Clinical Content Team 🕐 Updated 2026-07-11 🏷️ Physiological Adaptation 🔖 Free to read, print, and share

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Use this quick-reference guide to spot, treat, and prevent Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) on the NCLEX. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!

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Signs

What to look for

Pulsatile abdominal mass
Bruit on auscultation
Often asymptomatic

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Avoid

Key facts

NEVER palpate deeply
Control BP → ↓ rupture

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Report

Notify / act now

Rupture: sudden back/flank pain
Hypotension, tachycardia, shock
Grey-Turner sign (flank bruise)

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Post-Op

Key facts

Monitor pedal pulses
Watch urine output (renal)

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Quick Tip

Most common in men over 65 with a history of smoking, hypertension, and atherosclerosis.

📖 Related Topics

Hypokalemia Hyperkalemia Hyponatremia Heart Failure

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