Final answer:
As a nurse, you would ask additional questions to obtain a thorough subjective health history for a patient with abdominal pain. You would also perform objective physical assessments, such as inspecting and palpating the abdomen, auscultating bowel sounds, and percussing the abdomen. These assessments help in diagnosing and determining nursing care.
Step-by-step explanation:
Subjective Health History
As a nurse, there are several additional questions you might ask to obtain a more thorough subjective health history for a patient experiencing abdominal pain. These questions may include:
Where exactly is the pain located?
Can you describe the pain? Is it sharp, dull, or crampy?
When did the pain start?
Have you experienced this pain before?
What makes the pain better or worse?
Do you have any other associated symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or changes in bowel movements?
Have you recently traveled or consumed any unfamiliar foods?
Do you have any significant medical history or previous abdominal surgeries?
Objective Physical Assessments
For objective physical assessments of a patient with abdominal pain, you may consider:
- Inspecting the abdomen for any visible abnormalities, such as distension, scars, or bruising.
- Palpating the abdomen to assess for tenderness, masses, or organ enlargement.
- Auscultating bowel sounds to check for normal or abnormal bowel activity.
- Percussing the abdomen to assess for dullness or tympany, which can indicate organ enlargement or gas accumulation.
These assessments can help provide valuable information for diagnosing and determining the appropriate nursing care for the patient.