Author Question: When assessing a patient's abdomen during the admission assessment, which action should the nurse ... (Read 78 times)

wenmo · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

When assessing a patient's abdomen during the admission assessment, which action should the nurse take first?

a. Feel for any masses.
b. Palpate the abdomen.
c. Listen for bowel sounds.
d. Percuss the liver borders.

Question 2

When assessing for formation of a possible blood clot in the lower leg of a patient, which action should the nurse take first?

a. Visually inspect the leg.
b. Feel for the temperature of the leg.
c. Check the patient's pedal pulses using the fingertips.
d. Compress the nail beds to determine capillary refill time.

vkodali · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
When assessing the abdomen, auscultation is done before palpation or percussion because palpation and percussion can cause changes in bowel sounds and alter the findings. All of the techniques are appropriate, but auscultation should be done first.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Inspection is the first of the major techniques used in the physical examination. Palpation and auscultation are then used later in the examination.