How does a nurse assess for fluid in a patient's abdomen?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Placing the middle finger of the nondominant hand (pleximeter) over the area to be percussed, and striking that finger with the tip of the middle finger of the dominant hand describes the correct technique. Only the finger being struck touches the area to be percussed; the other fingers are raised off the skin and the middle finger is struck with the tip of the finger of the other hand. Percussing the abdomen requires both hands, one as the plexor and the other as the pleximeter. Using direct percussion by placing one hand over the abdomen and striking lightly with the other hand does not describe the correct technique.

How Does a Nurse Assess for Fluid in a Patient's