Final answer:
The purpose of percussing the abdomen is to assess the underlying tissue density, which helps in identifying the characteristics of body tissues or organs based on the sound produced.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a nurse prepares to percuss the abdomen of a patient, the purpose of this technique is to assess the underlying tissue. In the context of the options provided, the correct answer is (C) density. Percussion is a diagnostic technique used to determine the density of body tissues or organs. When the abdomen is percussed, sounds can indicate whether there's fluid, solid mass, or air, which helps to differentiate between various types of tissues and organs. Turgor refers to skin elasticity, texture could refer to the feel of the surface or consistency of tissue, but is not specifically applicable in percussion, and consistency, while related to tissue state, does not reflect percussion's primary purpose.