Question

The nurse suspects that an intraoperative client has a distended bladder. Which method is correct to assess for this condition?

1 Inspect and palpate in the epigastric region.
2 Auscultate and percuss in the inguinal areas.
3 Percuss and palpate in the hypogastric region.
4 Percuss and palpate bilaterally in the lumbar areas.

Answer 1

To assess for a distended bladder, the nurse (3) should percuss and palpate in the hypogastric region to detect fluid and feel for the bladder's distention.

Step-by-step explanation:

A dilated bladder is suspected in an intraoperative client by the nurse. The proper way to evaluate this problem is to palpate and percussion the hypogastric area.

This region is located above the pubic bone and below the umbilicus (belly button), where the bladder is positioned when it is distended. Percussion can help determine if there is a dull sound indicative of fluid, which in this case could be urine in the bladder. Palpation is used afterward to feel for the distention and borders of the bladder.