The nurse is preparing to assess a person's abdomen. Place in order the steps the nurse should follow when performing this assessment.

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Inspection should always come first, as it allows the nurse to gather initial data before potentially agitating the abdominal area with palpation and percussion. Palpation should follow inspection, as it allows the nurse to assess for any areas of tenderness or abnormal masses. Auscultation should then be performed to assess bowel sounds and identify any vascular sounds. Percussion is typically the last step in the assessment, as it requires the most skill and experience to accurately interpret the sounds produced.

The Nurse Is Preparing to Assess a Person's Abdomen