ASSESSMENT OF THE ABDOMEN
PURPOSES:
1. To explore gastrointestinal complaints that will help establish
nursing diagnosis and plan of care.
2. To assess abdominal pain and tenderness and to monitor client
postoperatively.
3. To determine the presence of masses, lesion, and other
abdominal abnormalities.
SPECIAL CONDSIDERATIONS:
1. Palpation is done LAST because it can cause movement and
stimulation of bowel which can alter bowel sounds.
2. Ask client to point painful and tender area and palpate that area
LAST.
3. Have warm hands, warm stethoscope and short fingernails.
4. Ensure client has an empty bladder since bowel sounds maybe
obscured with a full bladder.
5. Never palpate suspected appendicitis or dissecting abdominal
aneurysm, polycystic kidney or transplanted organ. It can
precipitate a rupture or organ rejection.
6. Overcome ticklishness and minimize voluntary guarding by asking
client to perform self palpation.
, PREPARATION:
1. Assemble equipment and supplies
• Examining light
• Tape measure (metal or unstretchable cloth)
• Water-soluble skin marking pencil
• Stethoscope
2. Explain procedure to the client.
3. Wash hands.
4. Provide for client privacy
5. Determine client's history of the following:
a. Incidence of abdominal pain: its location, onset, sequence and
quality
C – character
O – onset
L – location
D – duration
S – severity
P – pattern
A – associated factors
P – provocative, palliative factors
Q – quality
R – radiates
S – severity
T – time
, b) Bowel habits
c) Incidence of constipation or diarrhea
d) change in appetite
e) Food intolerance
f) Food ingested in last 24 hours
g) Specific signs and symptoms
h) Previous problems and treatment
6. Ask client to empty the bladder or bowel
7. Assist the client to a supine position with the arms placed
comfortably at the sides.
Place a small pillow beneath the knees and the head to reduce
tension in the abdominal muscles. Expose only the client's
abdomen from chest line to the pubic area to avoid chilling and
shivering which can tense the abdominal muscles.
8. Identify landmarks that divide abdominal region into quadrants.
From tip of xiphoid process to symphysis pubis and a horizontal
line across the umbilicus.
PURPOSES:
1. To explore gastrointestinal complaints that will help establish
nursing diagnosis and plan of care.
2. To assess abdominal pain and tenderness and to monitor client
postoperatively.
3. To determine the presence of masses, lesion, and other
abdominal abnormalities.
SPECIAL CONDSIDERATIONS:
1. Palpation is done LAST because it can cause movement and
stimulation of bowel which can alter bowel sounds.
2. Ask client to point painful and tender area and palpate that area
LAST.
3. Have warm hands, warm stethoscope and short fingernails.
4. Ensure client has an empty bladder since bowel sounds maybe
obscured with a full bladder.
5. Never palpate suspected appendicitis or dissecting abdominal
aneurysm, polycystic kidney or transplanted organ. It can
precipitate a rupture or organ rejection.
6. Overcome ticklishness and minimize voluntary guarding by asking
client to perform self palpation.
, PREPARATION:
1. Assemble equipment and supplies
• Examining light
• Tape measure (metal or unstretchable cloth)
• Water-soluble skin marking pencil
• Stethoscope
2. Explain procedure to the client.
3. Wash hands.
4. Provide for client privacy
5. Determine client's history of the following:
a. Incidence of abdominal pain: its location, onset, sequence and
quality
C – character
O – onset
L – location
D – duration
S – severity
P – pattern
A – associated factors
P – provocative, palliative factors
Q – quality
R – radiates
S – severity
T – time
, b) Bowel habits
c) Incidence of constipation or diarrhea
d) change in appetite
e) Food intolerance
f) Food ingested in last 24 hours
g) Specific signs and symptoms
h) Previous problems and treatment
6. Ask client to empty the bladder or bowel
7. Assist the client to a supine position with the arms placed
comfortably at the sides.
Place a small pillow beneath the knees and the head to reduce
tension in the abdominal muscles. Expose only the client's
abdomen from chest line to the pubic area to avoid chilling and
shivering which can tense the abdominal muscles.
8. Identify landmarks that divide abdominal region into quadrants.
From tip of xiphoid process to symphysis pubis and a horizontal
line across the umbilicus.
