Final answer:
The nurse should examine a patient's abdomen by starting with inspection, followed by auscultation, percussion, and then palpation to effectively assess for abnormalities without altering bowel sounds.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct sequence a nurse should follow in examining a patient's abdomen is first inspection, then auscultation, followed by percussion, and finally palpation. This order is particularly important because palpation and percussion can alter the bowel sounds that the nurse might be trying to assess during auscultation. During the inspection, the nurse looks for any abnormalities in skin color or outward appearance.
During auscultation, the nurse listens to the bowel sounds with a stethoscope to assess the state of the patient's gastrointestinal function. Percussion helps to identify areas of fluid, air, or masses and to determine the size and position of organs. Lastly, palpation is used to feel for any masses or tenderness which helps to assess the texture and size of the organs and to identify any discomfort or pain the patient might have.