A Newly Licensed Nurse Is Assessing a Patient Who Reports

A newly licensed nurse is assessing a patient who reports constant dull pain over the lower abdomen. The nurse inspects, percusses, palpates, and auscultates the patient's abdomen. After leaving the patient's room, the preceptor says, "Your assessment findings may not be accurate." What is the rationale for the preceptor's statement?

A) The nurse palpated prior to auscultating.
B) The nurse inspected prior to palpating.
C) The nurse inspected prior to auscultating.
D) The nurse percusses before palpating.