This article will explain how to assess the abdomen as a nurse. This assessment is part of the nursing head-to-toe assessment you have to perform in nursing school and on the job. During the abdominal assessment you will be: Switches to Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, and Palpation Inspect:
Auscultate with the diaphragm for bowel sounds:
Auscultate for bruits (vascular sounds) at the following locations using the BELL of the stethoscope:
Check for hernia: have patient raise up a bit and look for hernia (at stomach area or navel area) Palpation of the abdomen:
Complete nursing head-to-toe assessment Chapter 13: Abdomen and Gastrointestinal SystemWilson: Health Assessment for Nursing Practice, 6th EditionMULTIPLE CHOICE1.A patient tells the nurse, “I’ve been having pain in my belly for several days that gets worseafter eating.” Which datum from the symptom analysis is consistent with the nurse’s suspicionof peptic ulcer disease? Get answer to your question and much more 2.During an assessment for abdominal pain, a patient reports a colicky abdominal pain and painin the right shoulder that gets worse after eating fried foods. What question does the nurse askto confirm the suspicion of cholelithiasis? Get answer to your question and much more 3.A patient reports having frequent heartburn. Which question does the nurse ask in response tothis information? Get answer to your question and much more 4.A patient reports having abdominal distention. The nurse notices that the patient’s sclerae areyellow. What question is appropriate for the nurse to ask in response to this information? Get answer to your question and much more 5.A patient reports having abdominal distention and having vomited several times yesterday andtoday. What question is appropriate for the nurse to ask in response to this information? Get answer to your question and much more 6.A patient reports a change in the usual pattern of urination. What question does the nurse askto determine if incontinence is the reason for these symptoms? Get answer to your question and much more When inspecting a patients abdomen which finding does the nurse note as normal?documentation of normal findings: Abdomen is soft, non-distended, non-tender with positive bowel sounds to all four quadrants.
When assessing a patient's abdomen which technique does the nurse use?Assessing your patient's abdomen can provide critical information about his internal organs. Always follow this sequence: inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation. Changing the order of these assessment techniques could alter the frequency of bowel sounds and make your findings less accurate.
When examining the abdomen which of the following symptoms would be suggestive of appendicitis?Common Symptoms of Appendicitis
Anorexia, nausea and vomiting are symptoms that are commonly associated with acute appendicitis. The classic history of pain beginning in the periumbilical region and migrating to the right lower quadrant occurs in only 50 percent of patients.
What is the normal finding in checking for skin integrity in the abdomen?Normal findings might be documented as: “Abdomen flat, symmetrical with no bulging, swelling, discolouration. Skin intact.”
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