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What is the correct order of abdominal assessment techniques?
Inspection, auscultation, palpation, percussion
Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
Percussion, auscultation, palpation, inspection
Auscultation, palpation, percussion, inspection
The correct answer is: Inspection, auscultation, palpation, percussion
The correct order of abdominal assessment techniques begins with inspection, followed by auscultation, then palpation, and lastly percussion. Starting with inspection allows the healthcare professional to visually assess the abdomen for any abnormalities, such as distention, discoloration, or lesions. This is a crucial first step as it provides valuable information based on the appearance of the abdomen. Next, auscultation is performed to listen to the bowel sounds and any vascular sounds. This step is important to evaluate the function of the gastrointestinal system before any manipulation occurs, as palpation could alter the sounds. Palpation is done after auscultation to assess for tenderness, organ size, and any masses. If palpation were performed before auscultation, it could potentially affect the bowel sounds, leading to inaccurate conclusions about gastrointestinal activity. Finally, percussion is used to assess the density of abdominal contents and to help identify fluid, air, or masses. This technique is performed last to avoid disturbing the abdomen in a way that could interfere with previous assessments. Each step builds upon the findings of the previous one, making this order essential for a thorough and effective abdominal assessment.