Question

After completing the client interview, the nurse is ready to begin the physical assessment of the abdomen.

The nurse prepares Claudine for the physical assessment of the abdomen. Before assisting her to a supine position, what action should the nurse take?

- Encourage the client to empty her bladder.
- Ask the client to breathe deeply several times.
- Dim the room lights to encourage the client to relax.
- Instruct the client to place her hands over her head.
- Discuss the sequence of steps performed during the abdominal assessment.

Answer 1

Before a physical assessment of the abdomen, a nurse should encourage the patient to empty their bladder to ensure comfort and accuracy during the examination. Dividing the abdomen into regions or quadrants aids in precise communication about pain or abnormalities.

Step-by-step explanation:

Before assisting a patient to a supine position for the physical assessment of the abdomen, it is recommended that the nurse first encourages the client to empty their bladder. This action helps make the client more comfortable and may improve the accuracy of palpation and percussion of the abdomen during the examination. It also helps to avoid any discomfort that may arise from a full bladder during the assessment. The other options provided, such as asking the client to breathe deeply, dimming the room lights, instructing the client to place her hands over her head, or discussing the sequence of steps during the abdominal assessment, while important, are not the actions that need to be prioritized before placing the client in a supine position.

Healthcare providers often use a system to divide the abdominal area into nine regions or four quadrants to accurately describe the location of pain, masses, or other abnormalities. This is important for effective communication and precise assessment during procedures like a cholecystectomy, which was the case with a patient named Roberta in the clinical focus example provided.