In what location would the nurse palpate for the liver?

• A. Left upper quadrant
• B. Right upper quadrant
• C. Right lower quadrant
• D. Left lower quadrant

Answer: (B)

The liver sits mainly under the right rib cage in the right upper quadrant, so palpation is performed there. With a deep вдох? (deep breath), the diaphragm moves downward and the liver edge drops lower, making it accessible for examination. In a healthy adult the liver edge may be difficult to feel, but if palpated, a smooth, firm edge beneath the right costal margin is consistent with normal anatomy or indicates hepatomegaly depending on context. The other quadrants contain different organs—stomach and spleen in the left upper quadrant; cecum and appendix in the right lower quadrant; sigmoid colon in the left lower quadrant—so palpation of the liver is specifically in the right upper quadrant.