During an examination of a patient's abdomen, the nurse notes that the abdomen is rounded and firm to the touch. During percussion, the nurse notes a drum-like quality of the sounds across the quadrants. How should the nurse interpret this type of sound?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A musical or drum-like sound (tympany) is heard when percussion occurs over an air-filled viscus, such as the stomach or intestines. Constipation and presence of a tumor or dense organ would have a muffled thud sound when percussing.

During an Examination of a Patient's Abdomen, the Nurse Notes