Which technique is most appropriate for a nurse to implement during the assessment of the abdomen?

A) Assessing painful areas first
B) Auscultating for 5 minutes over each quadrant
C) Positioning the patient in a supine position with the arms behind or over the head
D) Palpating painful masses or organ enlargement deeply and firmly

Question

Tristan Ziegerink · Accepted Answer

Final Answer : B, Explanation :  To auscultate bowel sounds,place the diaphragm of the stethoscope lightly over each of the four abdominal quadrants.Listen 5 minutes over each quadrant before deciding that bowel sounds are absent.Painful areas are assessed last.Manipulation of a body part can increase the patient's pain and anxiety and can make the remainder of the assessment difficult to complete.Placing the arms under the head or keeping the knees fully extended can cause the abdominal muscles to tighten.Tightening of muscles prevents adequate palpation.If masses are palpated,note size,location,shape,consistency,tenderness,mobility,and texture.

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