{"id":306,"date":"2021-09-29T10:10:33","date_gmt":"2021-09-29T14:10:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/assessmentnursingmain\/chapter\/abdominal-assessment\/"},"modified":"2025-11-15T09:43:53","modified_gmt":"2025-11-15T14:43:53","slug":"abdominal-assessment","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/assessmentnursingmain\/chapter\/abdominal-assessment\/","title":{"raw":"Abdominal Assessment","rendered":"Abdominal Assessment"},"content":{"raw":"

Abdominal assessment involves inspection, auscultation, palpation, and percussion. This order of physical assessment<\/strong> is important to preserve normal bowel sounds when auscultating. For example, pressing on the abdomen can modify bowel sounds by increasing peristalsis (wave-like contractions of the intestines).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Before beginning, ask the client to empty their bladder and bowel so that fullness will not influence the findings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

This assessment is best accomplished in the supine position<\/strong> because this allows any air in the abdominal region to rise to the surface area. The client should lie flat with their head on a pillow. Some clients may find it difficult to lie completely flat; if so, you can slightly elevate the head of the bed (about 10 degrees). To ensure the abdominal musculature is relaxed, ask the client to have their arms resting beside their body<\/strong> and their knees bent<\/strong> with either their feet placed flat on the bed or a pillow placed under their knees. For a newborn or young child, you can ask someone (care partner, parent, healthcare provider) to hold them on their lap.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Always do the assessment on bare skin<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n

\r\n

Contextualizing Inclusivity - Discomfort in Exposing Abdomen<\/span><\/h2>\r\n

Some clients are uncomfortable exposing their abdomen. For example, they may feel uncomfortable because of body image issues associated with weight, modesty related to cultural or religious beliefs, or a new ostomy such as a colostomy or an ileostomy. Ostomies are surgically created openings onto the abdomen that allow stool to bypass a damaged\/diseased part of the intestine and leave the body.<\/span><\/p>\r\nIt is important that you create an inclusive environment that is judgment free and recognizes the client\u2019s potential discomfort. For example, you may begin the assessment with the following: \u201cI need to assess your abdomen on the bare skin. Is that okay?\u201d (wait for the client to give consent). <\/span>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n ","rendered":"

Abdominal assessment involves inspection, auscultation, palpation, and percussion. This order of physical assessment<\/strong> is important to preserve normal bowel sounds when auscultating. For example, pressing on the abdomen can modify bowel sounds by increasing peristalsis (wave-like contractions of the intestines).<\/span><\/p>\n

Before beginning, ask the client to empty their bladder and bowel so that fullness will not influence the findings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This assessment is best accomplished in the supine position<\/strong> because this allows any air in the abdominal region to rise to the surface area. The client should lie flat with their head on a pillow. Some clients may find it difficult to lie completely flat; if so, you can slightly elevate the head of the bed (about 10 degrees). To ensure the abdominal musculature is relaxed, ask the client to have their arms resting beside their body<\/strong> and their knees bent<\/strong> with either their feet placed flat on the bed or a pillow placed under their knees. For a newborn or young child, you can ask someone (care partner, parent, healthcare provider) to hold them on their lap.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Always do the assessment on bare skin<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Contextualizing Inclusivity – Discomfort in Exposing Abdomen<\/span><\/h2>\n

Some clients are uncomfortable exposing their abdomen. For example, they may feel uncomfortable because of body image issues associated with weight, modesty related to cultural or religious beliefs, or a new ostomy such as a colostomy or an ileostomy. Ostomies are surgically created openings onto the abdomen that allow stool to bypass a damaged\/diseased part of the intestine and leave the body.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is important that you create an inclusive environment that is judgment free and recognizes the client\u2019s potential discomfort. For example, you may begin the assessment with the following: \u201cI need to assess your abdomen on the bare skin. Is that okay?\u201d (wait for the client to give consent). <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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