During inspection of a 52-year-old patient, the nurse notes that the patient's abdomen is bulging and stretched with dullness percussed to the left lower quadrant.The nurse will document that the patient:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A bulging and stretched abdomen with dullness percussed to one quadrant could indicate fluid or mass accumulation. This requires further investigation to rule out potential pathologies such as ascites, a tumor, or a distended bladder. "Protuberant" is a more descriptive term than "bulging and stretched" and is commonly used in medical documentation. Options A and C are incorrect because the description does not indicate an obese or scaphoid abdomen, and option B is incorrect because a hernia would typically be palpable and not necessarily result in percussion dullness.

During Inspection of a 52-Year-Old Patient, the Nurse Notes That