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 PalpationVideo Demonstration on a Nursing Abdominal Assessment
Abdomen:
Inspect:
- Stomach contour scaphoid, flat, rounded, protuberant?
- Noted pulsations at the aorta (noted in thin patients): The aortic pulsation can be noted above the umbilicus.
- Characteristics of the navel (invert or everted)
- Masses (check for hernia after auscultation), PEG tube?
Auscultate with the diaphragm for bowel sounds:
- start in the RIGHT LOWER QUADRANT and go clockwise in all the 4 quadrants
- should hear 5 to 30 sounds per minute…if no, bowel sounds are noted listen for 5 full minutes
- Documents as: normal, hyperactive, or hypoactive
Auscultate for bruits (vascular sounds) at the following locations using the BELL of the stethoscope:
- Aorta: slightly below the xiphoid process midline with the umbilicus
- Renal Arteries: go slightly down to the right and left at the aortic site
- Iliac arteries: go few a inches down from the belly button at the right and left sides to listen
- Femoral arteries: found in the right and left groin.
Check for hernia: have patient raise up a bit and look for hernia (at stomach area or navel area)
Palpation of the abdomen:
- Light palpation (2 cm): should feel soft with no pain or rigidity
- Deep palpation (4-5 cm): feel for any masses, lumps, tenderness
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?
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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?
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3.A patient reports having frequent heartburn. Which question does the nurse ask in response tothis information?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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