Abdominal examination assessment for nursing students that will demonstration bowel and vascular sounds, inspection, and palpation of the abdomen.

This assessment of the abdomen is part of the nursing headtotoe physical assessment. It allows the nurse to obtain a baseline of how the patient's gastrointestinal and genitourinary system is doing.

During the abdominal exam the nurse will first inspect the abdomen and then auscultate it. Auscultation is performed second rather than last to prevent disrupting or causing bowel sounds, and this will be followed by percussion and palpation.

As the nurse inspects the abdomen it is important to note any abnormalities on the abdomen, it's contour (scaphoid, flat rounded, and protuberant), pulsations etc. In addition, the nurse should ask the patient when their last bowel movement was and how they are urinating. If the patient is female and still at childbearing age, the nurse should ask the date of their last menstrual period.

After inspection the nurse will assess bowel sounds by starting in the right lower quadrant and working in a clockwise fashion to assess the other quadrants of the abdomen. The nurse should hear at least 530 bowel sounds per minute, and if none are noted, the nurse should listen for 5 full minutes.

Next, vascular sounds will be assessed at various locations with the bell of the stethoscope. The nurse should note any bruits at these locations as demonstrated in the video. Lastly, light and deep palpation is performed in all four quadrants.

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